Shooting suspect let go

By Nick Gevock of The Montana Standard - 08/19/2008

Richard Schueneman, center, reads over court documents Monday in Virginia City District Court as his attorneys Jana McGill, left, and Walter Hennessey help him review the charging papers. Nick Gevock / The Montana Standard

VIRGINIA CITY — A Twin Bridges man accused of shooting another man in the face last month was freed from jail Monday after the prosecutor in the case requested that he be released.

Richard Schueneman, 64, pleaded not guilty to felony assault with a weapon before Judge Loren Tucker in Virginia City District Court. Schueneman was charged last month for allegedly shooting Morgan Dorseth, 19, in the early morning hours July 16 when Dorseth was with a group of men who were hanging around Schueneman’s trailer on a ranch south of town.

The four men also face misdemeanor charges (See related charges at right.) Schueneman has been held in the Butte-Silver Bow jail for the past month awaiting his initial appearance in district court.

But Madison County Attorney Chris Christensen on Monday requested that Schueneman be let go on his own recognizance. Christensen said Schueneman has a place to stay in a Twin Bridges motel and would be helped out by relatives.

“It’s my understanding he has a place to live,” Christensen said.

Dorseth has received several surgeries to repair his jaw. He returned home from Seattle two weeks ago and is recovering, Lars Dorseth, Morgan’s brother, said in a telephone interview Monday. He said his brother has had a remarkable recovery and looks good.

“If you look at him straight on, he looks exactly as he was,” Dorseth said. “He has a full curled smile.” Christensen said after the hearing he requested Schueneman’s release because he was a low risk of fleeing or committing other crimes.

“He has no prior history at all and based on what we’ve learned since, he just tries to keep to himself,” Christensen said. “He’s not a risk.” Walter Hennessey, a state public defender representing Schueneman, said his client will be getting help from family members.

“His brother is going to be moving a trailer out here for him from Oregon,” he said.

In the meantime, a niece who lives in the Ruby Valley will help out as Schueneman moves into the motel.

Tucker asked Schueneman, who came close to the bench so he could hear the proceeding better, what he did during the day. Schueneman said now that he’s retired and on Social Security he spends time writing.

“Mostly I write science fiction stories,” he said.

Tucker ordered Schueneman to write for three hours a day.

“I just want you to occupy your time with something useful,” he said.

Reporter Nick Gevock may be reached at nick.gevock@mtstandard.com