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Motion requesting immunity for potential witness denied in Missoula double murder

Posted at 5:19 PM, Oct 01, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-01 19:28:41-04

MISSOULA – A motion to grant immunity for a witness in the trial of a man accused of a brutal double murder in 2017 has been denied by a Missoula judge.

Standingrock’s defense team was seeking a motion for immunity for Joseph Peasley.

Peasley was in a relationship with Tiffanie Pierce before Pierce began dating Standingrock. The two remained close after their relationship ended.

The defense would like to use Peasley as a witness, but are afraid that without immunity Peasley would not be able or willing to testify.

They also stated that even with immunity Peasley still might plead the Fifth. 

State prosecutors argue that Peasley’s testimony would not include anything that would have an impact on the trial requesting the state deny the motion until “the Defendant can provide proof sufficient to warrant immunity for Mr. Peasley’s testimony.” 

Judge James Wheelis denied the motion.

The court is still open to offering Peasley immunity should something come up in deposition that would merit the need for immunity.

The court said that “the court will reconsider this issue should it be offered convincing authority.”

Standingrock, along with his girlfriend Tiffanie Pierce, is accused of murdering two people in their Strand Ave. home in August 2017.

Court documents say the two also tried disposing of the bodies in chemical-filled tubs in their basement.

Standingrock is set to be in court on Wednesday for a status conference.