Coroner's Inquest Finds Officers Not Liable for Shooting Death of East Helena Man

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By The Associated Press

Story Published: Nov 24, 2009 at 10:10 AM MST

Story Updated: Nov 24, 2009 at 10:53 PM MST

BOULDER, Mont - A coroner's jury has found law enforcement officials were not criminally liable in the May 29 shooting death of a 46-year-old East Helena man who was drunk, suicidal and had fired a .45-caliber pistol in the direction of a patrol car.

Douglas C. Morrison was shot and killed by officers during a standoff outside his cabin about four miles west of Boulder.

Montana Highway Patrol Trooper David Gleich testified that Morrison was walking toward officers holding his pistol. He says he believes that Morrison would have walked up and shot Jefferson County Deputy Tom Grimsrud in the face if he and Grimsrud hadn't fired first. Gleich says he believes Morrison wanted to end his life but couldn't do it, so he forced the officers to shoot him.

Gleich and Grimsrud had responded to a 911 call that Morrison was suicidal.

Six of the seven jury members who heard the case Monday decided Morrison was not killed by criminal means. A majority vote was needed in the inquest, which was overseen by Butte-Silver Bow Coroner Lee LaBreche.

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