Suspect in Deputy Killing Can be Medicated for Trial

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A Montana judge has ruled a man charged in the May 2017 shooting death of a sheriff’s deputy can be forcibly medicated so he is fit to stand trial.

District Judge Kathy Seeley ruled Tuesday in the case of Lloyd Barrus, who is charged with accountability to deliberate homicide in the death of Broadwater County Deputy Mason Moore near Three Forks.

Seeley ruled that if Barrus refused his anti-psychotic medications, they could be given by injection.

Barrus’ son, Marshall Barrus, is believed to have shot Moore. The men led officers on a high-speed chase during which shots were fired. Marshall Barrus died in a shootout with officers on Interstate 90 east of Missoula.

An investigation found the father and son went out that night intending to get into a gun battle with law enforcement officers.