Helena, Mont. — A court hearing in Lewis and Clark County moved former Senate President Jason Ellsworth’s case closer to a jury trial set for July 14.
Judge Christopher Abbott handled the hearing as state attorneys and Ellsworth’s attorneys reviewed proposed instructions for jurors.
They worked through which wording jurors should see, which language should be removed to prevent confusion and what should be held back for the trial.
Ellsworth is accused of violating state procurement laws. The state Senate has removed him from his role as Senate president last year.
Even without jurors in the courtroom Tuesday, attorneys used the hearing to sort through the instructions that could shape how the case is presented at trial.