Court Opinion

ID: 9393025
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-05-08 23:06:18.038187+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:18:50.442225
License: Public Domain

05/08/2023

           IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA
                                                                                           Case Number: OP 23-0258

                                        OP 23-0258
                                    _________________

LEON MICHAEL FORD,

             Petitioner,

      v.
                                                                      ORDER
MONTANA FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT
COURT, HON. MIKE MENAHAN, Presiding,

             Respondent.
                                    _________________

       Petitioner Leon Ford seeks a writ of supervisory control over the First Judicial District
Court following its April 26, 2023 refusal during the final pretrial conference to continue
Ford’s May 30 deliberate homicide trial. Ford sought the continuance after receiving a
report that excluded him as a source of DNA on cable/zip ties found with the victim’s
remains. The report disclosed DNA of an unidentified male, and Crites has retained DNA
experts to attempt to identify the source. Citing his constitutional right to obtain exculpatory
evidence, Ford claims the District Court is proceeding under a mistake of law, and appeal
would afford an inadequate remedy.
       Having reviewed the petition and the District Court’s bench ruling, the Court deems it
advisable to obtain a summary response. Cognizant of the trial date, the Court
       HEREBY ORDERS that the Respondent, the State of Montana, or both, are granted
seven (7) days from the date of this Order within which to file a response to the Petition in
accordance with M. R. App. P. 14(7)(a).
       The Clerk is directed to provide immediate notice of this Order to all counsel of
record in the District Court’s Cause No. ADC 2020-0493 and to the Honorable Mike
Menahan, presiding Judge.

                                                                                 Electronically signed by:
                                                                                        Beth Baker
                                                                            Justice, Montana Supreme Court
                                                                                       May 8 2023