Havre man denies attempted murder

The man accused of attempting to kill another Havre man pleaded not guilty Thursday in state District Court in Havre to charges including attempted murder.

Douglas Hopf, born in 1968, was officially charged Dec. 10 with attempted deliberate homicide, criminal endangerment and tampering with witnesses and informants.

He pleaded not guilty Thursday to all three counts before District Judge Dan Boucher.

Hopf's attorney, Kaydee Snipes, said that Hopf has been in the Hill County area for about four years and that he is originally from Billings. Snipes requested that his bail be reduced and that he be able to continue his job as a truck driver throughout the state of Montana while awaiting future court dates.

Snipes suggested that Hopf wear a global positioning system tracking device in the process.

Hill County Attorney Gina Dahl then called Detective Sgt. Jason Barkus to the stand.

Barkus said that, based on the investigation he conducted, it appeared Hopf intentionally aimed his firearm at the alleged victim.

Barkus also said a text message was sent from Hopf's phone to another individual stating that he had shot into the window of the alleged victim's vehicle.

Boucher reduced Hopf's bail from $100,000 to $30,000.

Dahl proposed to follow Snipes' suggestion that Hopf wear a GPS monitor if he is released.

Boucher agreed with Dahl's request.

"The application of a GPS monitor is appropriate in this. ... He is responsible for its maintenance and associated costs," he said.

Boucher also said he will allow Hopf to leave Hill County for purposes of work if he gets released on bond; however, if he will be leaving overnight he is required to provide notice at least 48 hours in advance to Hill County Attorney office of where he will be be and when he is expected to return.

According to additional court documents, Hopf told Barkus that he went out to a bar with the alleged victim's girlfriend the night of Sept. 29 and later went back to his residence with her.

Several people were reportedly at Hopf's residence at the time of the incident.

One of the visitors told Barkus that she heard Hopf say the night of the incident, "I'm not afraid to hurt somebody and like shoot somebody. ... I was in the military."

The visitor said that after the shot was fired, Hopf went back into his house and said to turn off all of the lights because "the police were coming."

Hopf was in the Hill County Detention Center this morning on $30,000 bond. His next court date is scheduled for Jan. 26, at 10 a.m.