From Prison to Probation to Court: The Montana Man Accused of Felony Burglary

A Montana man named Bryce L. Morrison, 26, entered a plea of not guilty in Polson District Court on April 10 to a felony burglary charge. This was not long after Morrison was given a suspended sentence on a burglary charge less than a month before. On March 24, just four days following the earlier sentence, Polson Police responded to a report of a burglary at two businesses – Stageline Pizza and Betty’s Diner. Surveillance footage allegedly shows Morrison inside the store without permission, taking money from the cash register and tip jar, along with two beers.

Morrison had previously been committed to the Montana Department of Corrections for five years, with all time suspended on a burglary conviction on March 20. This sentence was part of a plea agreement that dismissed multiple other charges, including criminal possession of dangerous drugs, theft, and another burglary charge from break-ins that occurred at the same location in July and August 2023. However, this new burglary charge is bringing him back into the legal system again.

Judge Molly Owen has set Morrison’s case for trial on September 16. In addition to the new burglary charge, Morrison is also facing a revocation hearing for violating probation from the earlier burglary. Currently, he is being held in the Lake County Jail with bond totaling $50,000. It remains to be seen what will happen next in this case as it moves forward through the legal system.