Butte Courthouse Increases Security For Murder Trial

In the wake of bomb threats that have forced evacuations six times since mid-January, the Butte courthouse is increasing security for a murder trial next week.

The Montana Standard reports that Butte District Judge Kurt Krueger said Wednesday that starting next week, employees will have to use their county-issued ID cards to get in the building and all bags will be subject to search.

The retrial od 25-year-old Adam Hatfield is slated to begin Monday. Hatfield is accused of beating his father to death in 2008.

Krueger says if more bomb threats are made during the trail they will not evacuate the building unless authorities deem it necessary in order to protect the rights of all parties in the court system.