In brief: Shooting self-defense, girlfriend tells officials
Former Colville Confederated Tribes councilman Clarence “Jude” Stensgar Sr. was shot by his girlfriend, according to an FBI agent investigating Stensgar’s Nov. 27 death.
Special Agent Wesley Floyd said in federal court documents that Lisa Denobrega, 46, told tribal police she shot the 77-year-old Stensgar in his Inchelium, Wash., home because he tried to choke her during an argument.
Denobrega said she fired in self-defense, according to the affidavit that Floyd filed in U.S. District Court in Spokane to obtain a search warrant. The document indicates Denobrega, also known as Lisa Trevino, is under investigation for first-degree murder.
The homicide is being investigated by the FBI because that agency has jurisdiction over major crimes on Indian reservations. Stensgar, who served on the Tribal Business Council for 18 years during the 1980s and ‘90s, and Denobrega are tribal members.
Floyd’s affidavit says Denobrega reported Stensgar’s death to tribal police, led officers to his body in a hallway and directed them to a pistol in the living room. It says she began wiping up blood in the vicinity of Stensgar’s head when officers arrived.
Court documents say the search yielded a .357-caliber Magnum pistol, a .22-caliber rifle, spent shell casings and a “dream catcher” decoration with a bullet in it.
– John Craig
Butte
Halliburton pledges Montana Tech funds
Halliburton Energy Services Inc. has pledged $350,000 for Montana Tech’s new natural resources building.
A laboratory and student lounge will have the Halliburton name, according to the school.
Halliburton wants to invest in the education of people to work in the energy and energy services industries, the company said. Those industries buy Halliburton’s products and services.
Montana Tech is known for programs in math, science and engineering.
Founded in 1919, Houston-based Halliburton is one of the world’s largest providers of products and services to the oil and gas industries, and is one of the leading private contractors involved in the reconstruction of Iraq. Vice President Dick Cheney served as the company’s chairman and chief executive officer from 1995 to 2000.
– Associated Press