Neighbors Seek $75K From Homicide Victim’s Estate

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Three Helena-area residents who filed a lawsuit against a neighbor alleging he threatened and harassed them in an ongoing land and road access dispute are seeking a total of $75,000 from his estate.

John "Mike" Crites was served with the lawsuit in May 2011 and disappeared a month later. His remains were found in garbage bags near MacDonald Pass in early October, a default judgment was entered in the lawsuit in November and Crites' remains were positively identified in January. His death is being investigated as a homicide.