James Messick, the 40-year old Great Falls man charged with two felonies for a police stand-off last year in Great Falls, is back in court after violating his probation.
Messick was charged last year with arson and criminal endangerment - both felonies - for a three-hour stand-off that ended when he burned down his own home.
This week, Messick violated his probation when he received a DUI charge on November 10th.
He asked Judge Thomas McKittrick for a bond reduction to lower his $20,000 bond to $10,000 so that he could post bond and go back to work.
The state argued Messick could go off the deep-end again if he were able to be released from jail.
The bond reduction request was denied.
(May 2008) Authorities in Great Falls are now looking into how a standoff with a man on Tuesday turned into a fire that destroyed a family's home.
The incident began after police received reports of shots being fired at around 2:00 p.m. in a quiet, upscale neighborhood, on the southeast side of Great Falls.
The gunfire reportedly came from the home of James Messick, 39, and police soon arrived on the scene to set up a perimeter around the home at 41st Street South. The Department of Homeland Security patrolled the scene from the air in a Black Hawk helicopter, and a High Risk Unit rolled on the scene.
But, there was still no word from Messick and police had been concerned about the suspect's welfare for a couple of days.
After their arrival, Messick's standoff with police would las for three hours, and during that time police were able to talk to Messick, but nothing seemed to happen. Then just after 5:00 p.m., a Border Patrol helicopter spotted Messick laying down in the backyard.
While police had their suspect, fire crews had to contend with a home on fire. Firefighters went into defensive mode in attacking the blaze, and were able to contain it.
While the Messick's home was destroyed, his wife and kids were not home at the time.
Police say they will investigate to see what charges Messick could face and we're told he was treated for smoke inhalation and is now in stable condition at Benefis Healthcare.
