Morgan’s sentence suspended
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POLSON — A Polson man will avoid a prison term after staying in the good graces of the judge. Aaron Daniel Morgan, 39, was facing at least a five-year stint in the Montana State Prison on one count of felony criminal endangerment. The prosecutor was arguing for another five years being suspended. Morgan had pleaded guilty as part of a plea agreement to the lesser charge of criminal endangerment after initially being charged with two counts of assault with a weapon.
According to court records, on June 23, 2021, a woman called 911 to report being assaulted by her boyfriend, Morgan. Responding law enforcement officers described the woman as being emotional and upset upon their arrival. She told the officers that Morgan became upset with her and hit her when she asked to take his truck to see her mother. She said he also hit her with a shotgun and pointed it at her face. That’s when she started walking down a road with Morgan following her in his pick-up yelling at her to get in. Next, Morgan allegedly used his truck to push her into a ditch. Officers documented a bump on the woman’s head, cuts on the palm and back of her hand and an injury on her back from the truck pushing her into the ditch. Prosecutor Molly Owen, with the Lake County Attorney’s office, said two bystanders witnessed the alleged assault.
Judge Manley told Morgan that he had intended to sentence Morgan to a full five years in prison, but changed his mind due to the actions Morgan has taken to better himself since he was arrested. Instead Judge Manley suspended the sentence. Judge Manley also ordered Morgan to attend and successfully complete a batterer’s intervention program. Morgan was given credit for having already served five days in jail.
