Montana man charged with killing estranged wife, faces $800K bail

BOZEMAN – A Montana man is charged with breaking into a residence and killing his estranged wife.

The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported 47-year-old Joseph Paul DeWise of Bozeman appeared in Justice Court Friday on a deliberate homicide charge for the death of 35-year-old Lauren Walder DeWise in Belgrade on Sunday. He did not enter a plea.

Another woman, 32-year-old Ashley Van Hemert, was critically injured in the shooting. Belgrade police said they are still investigating.

Gallatin County prosecutors argued for $1 million bail while defense attorney Valerie Cairns argued $50,000 bail was more reasonable and that her client is presumed innocent. Justice of the Peace Bryan Adams set his bail at $800,000.

Court records say Lauren’s friends and co-workers told investigators that she reported her husband had been physically abusing her and had threatened to kill her if she left him.