Today's Headlines - Tomorrow's History

It is the end of 2011 and all of the news media are focusing on the top stories of 2011.  Natural disasters like the floods that hit Roundup and the Hardin area were noteworthy, and many sources name the medical marijuana issue as the top story of the year. In my opinion, the story that will be most remembered will be the decision of a Montana judge to grant a new trial to convicted murderer Barry Beach.  Beach was convicted of the brutal murder of a female classmate in Poplar in 1979.  The judge decided that there was sufficient evidence to grant a new trial and Beach was released on his own recognisance pending that trial.  Prosecutors are appealing to the Montana Supreme Court to overturn the judges decision and return Beach to prison but in the meantime he is enjoying his freedom awaiting the trial that he hopes will end with a different verdict.  While it must be a terrible time for the family of the victim, it will be one for the history books. We will all be watching to see how our justice system resolves this case.