Larry Kline
Havre Daily News
lkline@havredailynews.com
The trial of three Hi-Line men charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs in state District Court in Great Falls has been postponed, according to the Clerk of District Court in Cascade County.
A status hearing has been set for Aug. 23 for Jerald Edward Mellem, 60, of Havre; Gregory Wayne Munson, 54, of Havre; and Donald Ralph Kline, 49, of Kremlin.
In a motion filed on Mellem's behalf by his attorney, Daniel Donovan of Great Falls, the co-defendants asked for a continuance in order to allow more time to attempt to negotiate a settlement with the state and the Cascade County Attorney's Office, according to the clerk's office.
District Judge Julie Macek postponed the trial, which had been set for June 12, in a May 17 order, the clerk's office said.
Great Falls attorney Kenneth Olson, who is representing Munson and Kline, declined to comment Tuesday. Donovan was unavailable for comment.
The three men were arrested Dec. 14 at the Halftime Sports Bar in Great Falls in a sting operation conducted by two regional drug task forces. A state District Court document said Mellem was expected to meet someone and acquire one kilogram of cocaine. The document did not say whether Mellem exchanged any money or received any drugs.
An agent with the Central Montana Drug Task Force in Great Falls has said that, in subsequent searches that day, Mellem was found with 5.4 grams of cocaine; Kline was found with 9 grams; and Munson was found with 4 grams. Kline and Munson arrived with Mellem in a pickup and proceeded into the bar, the document said.
