New indictments filed against Adam Montgomery on gun charges
Father of missing girl Harmony Montgomery now faces 3 trials
Father of missing girl Harmony Montgomery now faces 3 trials
Father of missing girl Harmony Montgomery now faces 3 trials
New indictments were filed Tuesday against Adam Montgomery on charges unconnected to the disappearance of his 8-year-old daughter, Harmony Montgomery.
The indictments are related to a rifle and a shotgun Adam Montgomery is accused of stealing in the fall of 2019.
>> View video from Tuesday's court hearing
A court hearing on the indictments and other charges he faces was held Tuesday morning. Prosecutors told the judge they haven't yet made a formal plea offer to Adam Montgomery, but both parties are talking as they plan for three separate trials.
One issue hanging over the trial for a second-degree assault charge has been resolved, with prosecutors turning over body cam footage to the defense.
"The discovery that was requested regarding the body cam footage has been provided to the defense," said Senior Assistant Attorney General Jesse O'Neill. "In fact, we provided all bodycam footage associated with the case."
Prosecutors told the judge that the first case they would bring to trial was the case involving stolen firearms. Adam Montgomery, who did not appear for the hearing, is charged with stealing a rifle and shotgun.
In addition to felony theft, he is charged with being a felon in possession of a weapon and being an armed career criminal. The state declined to say if these charges are being tried first because it's the strongest case.
>> Father of Harmony Montgomery spends 23 hours each day in cell
"I'm not going to comment on the strength of the case," O'Neill said. "It's just the one we would like to proceed on first."
In addition to the assault case, Adam Montgomery is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Originally, the two cases were going to be tried together, but they will now be separate.
"In that case, it made sense," O'Neill said. "The second-degree assault had to do with a time, a distinct time period, when Harmony's whereabouts were known. The three misdemeanors all have to do with a later time period when Harmony's whereabouts were unknown."
Regarding the search for Harmony, O'Neil said tips continue to come in. Nearly two weeks ago, investigators searched a Union Street apartment where Adam Montgomery used to live. While declining to say if the search was helpful, O'Neil said officials aren't putting the search for Harmony on the back burner.
"It's a case that's gone on a long time, but spirits remain high," he said. "The investigation remains ongoing and strong."
Adam Montgomery's trial on the gun theft and related charges is scheduled for November. At the final pre-trial hearing scheduled for Oct. 27, the parties plan to review the status of the other two trials.
A 24-hour tip-line was set up for the Harmony Montgomery case. Anyone with information is asked to call or text 603-203-6060.