Hearing for Tom Patrick canceled pending further investigation

A hearing scheduled for this afternoon for local businessman Tom Patrick was canceled after the Hill County Attorney dismissed the case against him pending further investigation.

Patrick, owner of Patrick Construction, is accused of pointing a gun July 21 at another contractor and BNSF officials who were on Patrick’s property at the site of a freight train derailment about 8 miles east of Havre.

He was arrested on suspicion of felony charges of criminal endangerment, and two counts of assault with a weapon, a court document said.

He was scheduled to make his first appearance in Hill County Justice Court this afternoon at 1:30, but that hearing was canceled after Hill County Attorney Lacey Lincoln requested Friday the case be dismissed without prejudice because the prosecution needs a follow-up investigation before filing charges.

Hill County Justice of the Peace Audrey Barger dismissed the case Friday.

Dismissing a case without prejudice means the prosecution still can file charges at a later date.

Watch for more in Tuesday’s edition of Havre Daily News.