Molt Homicide Verdict

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By Kyle Midura

Story Published: Sep 1, 2010 at 6:35 PM MST

Story Updated: Sep 2, 2010 at 1:21 PM MST

COLUMBUS - A Molt man has been found guilty of killing his neighbor in October of 2009.

Wednesday Jeffrey Hardman took the stand in Columbus as the only witness in his defense. By late afternoon, the jury found him guilty of deliberate homicide and tampering with evidence. Hardman faces up to life in prison for the homicide charge.

Prosecutors charged Hardman with the October 15th murder of 33-year-old Molt resident Michael Blattie. Hardman said his neighbor's death wasn't his fault. "He came out of the house yelling at me, swinging his arms around and I started backing away slowly," he said from the stand Wednesday, "we got into a heated conversation, and I remember he hit me."

"You took a gun with you to confront somebody over a $35 loan that was only 10 days old," asked Assistant Attorney General Brant Light. "Partially sir," Hardman responded.

The gun was never found, attorneys used a similar pistol for demonstrations. "I pulled it, had it up," Hardman said as he pointed a revolver at his attorney's stomach, "he ran up and put his left hand under the bottom and his right hand came across and fanned the hammer back, and it went off."

Light asked Hardman why he didn't try to help Blattie. "I was scared, and I left," he explained. He also said he thought Blattie was already deceased. Tuesday a forensic expert said Blattie remained conscious for a few minutes after he was shot.

Hardman said the shooting was an accident, but prosecutors said otherwise. "Seems to me Mr. Hardman that a lot of people are wrong, and mistaken in this case except for you," said Light.

Light said Hardman didn't tell investigators the truth at any point during the investigation. When pressed by prosecutors Wednesday, Hardman said he didn't remember exactly where the gun is buried.

The victim's family watched on as Hardman showed a lot of emotion on the stand but kept his answers short.

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Guardian Angel said on Sunday, Sep 5 at 7:57 PM

First of all, why are were they trying this man in Still Water where Michael's father was the Commissioner at one point? Even now he is in a position of power! Of course Hardman ran...he knew from the beginning that all of Montana would take Michael's side. Who are the people who were living in the Blattie house? Where are they now? Where are the witnesses for Hardman? Where are the people who have seen Michael's temper? His own father said he was an emotional person..quite often those type of people have extreme anger too. What was the $35.00 debt for? There needs to be questions on drugs, homosexuality, and fear. How many of those jurors were familiar with Harold Blattie? Why wasn't a change of venue asked for by the public defenders? Who pays the Public Defenders? Was a search done by weapons detecting dogs of the fields surrounding the farm and Hardmans residence. Was a deal made with Hardman that if he does not produce the gun they will show leniency in his sentencing?

Me said on Thursday, Sep 2 at 8:19 PM

Your right I was not there just the same as the transients weren't there! Did they test Blattie for drugs to see if he was high and just went crazy? They have made so many mistakes in this case it's not even funny!

ATTENDEDTRIAL said on Thursday, Sep 2 at 1:45 PM

Were you there? Where was the murder weapon? The gun would have supported Hardman's case. He "can't remember" where he buried it. His defense did not even address that fact.

Me said on Thursday, Sep 2 at 12:29 PM

It's funny how the prosecutor said alot of people are wrong and mistaken in this case! Let's see were they there when it happened??? no they weren't! they are just guessing. These three people that were staying at Blatties house, did they do a back ground check on them or drug tests. No they didn't cause if they would have they would see that they are drug addicts with no where to go because they had burnt all of their bridges! So why would the juriers believe them ? Because it wasn't questioned This should be a mistrial, with all the crap some true and some false in the media! There's something wrong here!!! HELLO PEOPLE...

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