Bail set at $2 million for mass shooting suspect

Michael Paul Brown in custody at Butte-Silver Bow Detention Center; charging documents sealed until initial appearance in District Court

The man suspected of shooting four people to death inside the Owl Bar in Anaconda on Aug. 1 and then fleeing the scene in a white pickup truck, only to be apprehended a week later near the area where the truck was found, had his first court appearance Monday morning. 

Michael Paul Brown, 45, of Anaconda was arraigned before Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Justice of the Peace Kenneth Walund on Monday, Aug. 11, with the court appearance held entirely via Zoom since the defendant is in custody at the Butte-Silver Bow County Detention Center. 

Flanked by two attorneys from the Public Defender’s Office and with two law enforcement officers behind him, Brown first was asked by Judge Walund what his address is. After not initially responding, and after the judge stated he wasn’t responding, Brown gave his address and then answered “no sir” to the judge’s questions as to whether he has a current phone number or current employment.

After Judge Walund asked whether the defendant would remain in custody at the Butte-Silver Bow Detention Center, attorneys for both parties stated that is the case.

Bail then was set at $2 million, after which his rights were read to him, as well as what the conditions would be if bail is posted, and indication was given by the attorneys present with him that a public defender would be appointed to represent him.

All court documents in the case, including the charges themselves, are sealed at least until Brown has his initial appearance before Judge Jeffrey Dahood in 3rd Judicial District Court. Any arguments as to the defendant's custody would be heard at the District Court level as well. 

However, as of Monday afternoon that court date had not yet been set, nor is it yet known whether his initial appearance will be in open court or not.

The four people killed in the mass shooting incident were 64-year-old Nancy Lauretta Kelley; 59-year-old Daniel Edwin Baillie; 70-year-old David Allen Leach; and 74-year-old Tony Wayne Palm.