Greg Gianforte now has five more chances to appear in court to face a misdemeanor assault charge.
Bozeman Daily Chronicle court reporter Whitney Bermes says Justice of the Peace Rick West today granted the extension request filed yesterday by Gianforte’s defense team.“That’s correct. He set an ‘on or about date’, is what it’s called. He has until June 20 to appear in court. Justice court holds open court dates Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays. As of now he can appear at any of those open court dates between now and the deadline that Judge West gave him of June 20," she says.
Gianforte had faced a deadline today to appear in Gallatin County Justice Court over allegations he attacked Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs on the evening before last month's special congressional election.
Gianforte won Montana’s lone congressional seat despite the allegations of the last-minute scuffle. Montana’s special election results won’t get certified until June 17.
Gianforte is expected to be sworn into office sometime after the certification.