Montana Supreme Court rules news agencies can argue for release of Anaconda shooting documents

HELENA, Mont. - The Montana Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that news organizations, including NonStop Local, can argue for the release of sealed documents related to the shooting at the Owl Bar in Anaconda in August 2025.

Trial for the alleged shooter, Michael Paul Brown, was set to begin on January 12 but has been delayed as Brown continues to undergo mental health treatment.

Court documents in his case have thus far been sealed, and news organizations were not allowed the opportunity to argue for their release.

The Montana Supreme Court's opinion reverses the decision of the District Court, which initially denied news agencies the opportunity to be heard in court because they were not direct parties in the case. The Montana Supreme Court said the District Court's decision "reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of governing law," and said that the media is allowed to participate in the decision making process.

News agencies that petitioned the court were the Montana Newspaper Association, Montana Free Press, Montana Broadcasters' Association, Lee Enterpeises, Inc., States Newsroom, Daily Montanan and the Montana FOI Coalition.