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Barrus argues "unlawful commitment" and fear of death in federal lawsuit

Posted at 2:30 PM, Feb 17, 2020
and last updated 2020-02-17 16:30:24-05

(MISSOULA)- The man accused in the killing of a Broadwater County Sheriff's deputy and leading a cross-state high speed chase is worried he could die, or be permanently harmed or "disfigured", according to a new federal complaint.

And in his own shaky handwriting, he claims he's owed $11 million in damages for the wrongful death of his son during a shootout east of Missoula.

Lloyd Barrus is facing charges of accountability to deliberate homicide charges for the confrontation that killed Deputy Mason Moore in May 2017. Prosecutors say Barrus was driving the car when his son, Marshal, killed Moore along the highway. Marshal died when he refused to surrender to Missoula County deputies and Montana Highway Patrol troopers when the pair were stopped east of Missoula.

Barrus is being kept at Warm Springs where he's receiving medication to improve his mental health to stand trial.

But in the filing in U.S. District Court this week, Barrus claims his son had been arrested "without probable cause" months before the shooting, and that when he traveled to Montana to help Marshal find work "law enforcement killed my son and arrested me and captivated me without grand jury indictment."

In his own handwritten court papers obtained by MTN News, Barrus complains about being forcibly medicated, being "threatened with the death penalty" and says he's being denied his right to a speedy trial.

At last check, no court date has been scheduled to hear his complaint.