Schweitzer Ends Hunger Strike

Sun., March 31, 1996

Associated Press

One of the two freemen arrested on Monday, LeRoy Schweitzer, began eating and drinking again Saturday after going on a hunger strike following his arrest, U.S. Attorney Sherry Matteucci said.

Early in the day, Schweitzer, 57, was transferred from the Yellowstone County jail in Billings to a federal prison medical center at Springfield, Mo., so his medical condition could be more closely watched, she said.

“My understanding is that shortly after he arrived at the medical facility he was processed and began eating and drinking,” she said late Saturday. “Now whether he’s continued that throughout the day I do not know, but he did do that on his arrival.”

She said she hopes to bring him back to Montana.

Daniel Petersen Jr., who was arrested with Schweitzer, remained in the Yellowstone jail and continues to eat regularly, Sheriff Chuck Maxwell said.

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Schweitzer Ends Hunger Strike

Jesse Tinsley

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