Spreadbury v. Bitterroot Public Library et al

Filing 57

RESPONSE to Motion re 51 MOTION for Partial Summary Judgment DEF LEE ENTERPRISES INC'S BRIEF IN OPPOSITION TO PL'S MOTION FOR PARTIAL SUMMARY JUDGMENT AGAINST LEE ENTERPRISES filed by Lee Enterprises Incorporated. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit FOUNDATIONAL AFFIDAVIT OF JEFFREY B. SMITH, # 2 Exhibit A - Affidavit of Stacey Mueller, # 3 Exhibit B, # 4 Exhibit C, # 5 Exhibit D, # 6 Exhibit E, # 7 Exhibit F, # 8 Exhibit G, # 9 Exhibit H, # 10 Exhibit I, # 11 Exhibit J, # 12 Exhibit K, # 13 Exhibit L, # 14 Exhibit M, # 15 Exhibit N, # 16 Exhibit O) (Smith, Jeffrey)

EXHIBIT E

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Former Hamilton mayoral candidate accused of intimidating librarian

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tillissoulion
Former Hamilton mayoral candidate accused of intimidating

librarian
By PERRY BACKUS Ravalli Republic I Posted: Tuesday, November l0' 2fi)9 9:fi) pm

- Former Hamilton mayoral candidate Michael Spreadbury is facing a felony inlimidation charge for allegedly
threatening a city librarian on Nov.4.
HAMILTON

Spreadbury appeared before Ravalli County Justice ofthe Peace Robin Clute on Tuesday aftemoon,

According to an affidavit filed in the case, Spreadbury allegedly threatened Nansu Roddy in the middle ofthe day in
parking lot adjoining the Bittenoot Public Library where she works.

It wasn't the lirst time that Spreadbury had

a

a

run-in with library slaffmembers.

Spreadbury was charged with misdemeanor criminal trespass at the library in August after being banned fiom the premises
because he insisted that he be allowed to place a lener, accusing local public officials ofviolating citizens' rights, on the

library's reserve sheli
Spreadbury pleaded not guilty in that case. A trial has been set for January.
The new affidavit said Spreadbury spoced Roddy in the parking lot and pulled into an empty parking space that she was
about to walk through. He opened his lruck door and told the woman, "You need to do something about what is happening to

me."
Roddy replied that she couldn't do anything, and she wasn't in a position to help him.
As lhe conversation continued, the \ryoman told police that Spreadbury became more agitated and his voice changed when he
said, "You neod to go to Ken Bell and tell him to close this case."

Bell

is the

Hamilton city prosecutor.

The affidavit said Spreadbury continued to restate his demand that Roddy do something and raised his fist and pumped it into
the air as he talked. The woman told Hamilton police o{ficers later that she felt threat€n€d by Spreadbury's behavior and felt
she needed 1o distance herselffrom him,
Roddy ran to her car as Spreadbury left in his truck.
The int€raction was witnessed by Cavin Ricklefs from his office across the street. While he couldn't hear what was being
said, Ricklefs said Spreadbury was "agitated and confrontational" and saw Spreadbury raise and pump his hand in the air at
the woman.

Ricklefs told officers Roddy appeared frightened as she moved toward another parked vehicle. He was concemed enough
about her safety that he was preparing to go to the scene when the confrontation ended, the affidavit said.
Spreadbury has a history ofconfrontation with a number ofdifferent people.
The RavalliCounty Commission wrote Spreadbury a letter in February asking him to stop his harassment ofcounty
employees.

According to public records, police have responded l3 times since April 200E io complaints about Spreadbury's behavior at
the library, the county administration building, the county clerk ofcourt's office,lhe Ravalli Republic, the Hamilton School
District, Marcus Daly Memorial Hospilal, KMSO 102.5 Mounlain FM and the county fairgrounds.

All ofthe complaints allege that

he acted inappropriately, which Spreadbury denies.

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Former Hamilton mayoral candidate accused of intimidating librarian

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Spreadbury will next appear in Ravalli County District Court on the felony charge.
Joel Thompson ofthe Cascade County attorney's office has been appointed as a spccial deputy county attomey in the case.

Thompson said Tuesday his appointment was a result ofconflicts between Spreadbury and the Ravalli County attorney's
office and Montana Attomey General's Offrce.
Clute set Spreadbury's bail at $10,000. She also ordered him to stay al least 600 feel away from the librarian's residence or
the Bitterroot Public Library. IfSpreadbury yiolates the conditions, Clute said he would be arrested and his bond would be set
no less than $50.000.
Spreadbury was defeated by incumbent Hamilton Mayor Jerry Steele by a vote of 756-205 in last week's election.

Ravalli Republic editor Perry Backus can be reached al363-3300, or edilor@ravallirepublic,com.

hnp:i/missoulian.con/news/state-and-regional/article_ecba2a5e-ce76-

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