Murder Charges Dropped Against Pastor

Tools

By Kathy Weber

Story Published: Mar 10, 2010 at 7:29 PM MST

Story Updated: Mar 11, 2010 at 10:58 AM MST

BILLINGS - Murder charges are dismissed against a former Billings pastor accused of killing his wife nearly 20 years ago.

Judge John Warner who was presiding over the case on behalf of District Judge Blair Jones, dropped the charges Wednesday ruling the nearly two decade delay in prosecution violates Greenlee's constitutional right to due process.

Greenlee was accused of shooting his wife, Anita, in 1990 during a hunting trip west of Red Lodge. The shooting was initially ruled an accident.

Prosecution Services Bureau Chief for the Montana Department of Justice, Brant Light, told KULR-8 News in a statement Wednesday regarding the case, "We were confident in its merits and our ability to secure a conviction at trial. Though we are disappointed, we respect the court's decision."

Court documents indicate Greenlee admitted to investigators to having an affair prior to his wife's death. One investigator says Greenlee also admitted to forging his wife's name on life insurance papers, but a recording of that conversation was lost.

Despite Wednesday's action, Warner says prosecutors can revive murder charges against Greenlee at any time, especially if new evidence is discovered.

You have indicated this comment should be removed.

Close

The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .

N Kalanaga said on Thursday, Mar 11 at 6:46 PM

From the article, it appears that the main problem was lost evidence. One can't hold a trial if the prosecution can't find their evidence! Note that the judge specifically said they can refile charges if they find new evidence, so no, the statute of limitations has nothing to do with this.

WDW said on Thursday, Mar 11 at 9:12 AM

MAKES ME SICK WHAT A BUNCH OF GUTLESS JUDGES WE HAVE. PUT THE WHOLE BUNCH ON A ONE WAY TRIP TO MARS OR WHEREVER THEIR OVERZEALOUS EGOS CAN LAUGH AND GIGLE AS THE LAW ENFORCEMENT BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT ARE SHOT DOWN TIME AFTER TIME

P. Williams said on Thursday, Mar 11 at 6:38 AM

It was my understanding that there was not any statute of limitation on murders. He had twenty years more than his wife. That Judge should retry this guy right now. Speedy trial, why was he not tried before? Even so he should be tried again for her murder. He is getting away with murder and if not why doesn't he want his name cleared??? There are a number of killers who have lived for years longer than their victums and are still tried for murder. Same case here.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

KULR-8 News, Sports, Weather and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

Your Weather Authority

Icon
Current Temp 22.0 °F
Overcast
Wind : Northeast at
17.3 mph
Humidity : 75 %
Pressure : 30.21 in
More Weather

Party America Sky Cam

More Weather

On Demand

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Links We Like