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Helena man denies charges related to doctor’s shooting death

Posted at 12:07 PM, Jan 02, 2019
and last updated 2019-01-02 14:12:42-05

HELENA – A Helena man charged in the shooting death of Dr. Eugene “Buzz” Walton pleaded not guilty Wednesday in state District Court.

Gregg Robert Trude is charged with negligent homicide and tampering with or fabricating evidence, both felonies.

The charges stem from an incident last Oct. 21 when Walton suffered a fatal gunshot wound in the parking lot of the former Kmart on Cedar Street in Helena.

A jury trial for the case was set for May 6 in front of Judge Mike McMahon.

Trude faces a maximum of 30 years in prison and a fine of $100,000 if convicted. Trude previously ran for Montana House District 75 where he was defeated in the June 2018 primary.

On his LinkedIn page, Trude listed himself as a National Rifle Association rifle and handgun instructor and a member of the National Right to Life board of directors.

-John Riley reporting for MTN News