Man denies pulling gun on strangers

A 21-year-old man accused of threatening two people with a gun in St. Ignatius pleaded not guilty in Lake County District Court last week to felony assault with a weapon. 

According to an affidavit, Marcus Jonathon Simpson of Kalama, Wash., approached a vehicle driving along 2nd Avenue in St. Ignatius on Aug. 13 and asked for a ride. When the driver refused, Simpson allegedly attempted to force his way into the vehicle. The driver called a friend who lived close by for help, the affidavit states. When the friend arrived, Simpson allegedly drew a gun and continued to try and enter the vehicle, according to the affidavit. Once Simpson was notified that police had been called, he allegedly fled the scene. Responding officers chased after Simpson, who allegedly dropped the gun during the pursuit, the affidavit states.

During his arraignment Simpson’s defense attorney Robert Long requested he be released on his own recognizance pending trial. Long said Simpson could not afford bail and would like to care for his elderly grandparents who live in the area. 

Prosecutor Benjamin Anxiaux objected however, noting that Simpson is charged with pointing a gun at two random strangers “for no apparent reason.”

“We have no way of guaranteeing that he community is safe,” he said, adding that Simpson may have a possible chemical dependency issue. 

District Court Judge James Manley denied the request, but said he would reconsider if provided information from a chemical or mental evaluation. 

A jury trial was set for Jan. 17, 2017.