Suspect pleads not guilty in shooting case

SANDPOINT — A five-day jury trial is set in the case of a Bonner County teen accused of shooting at a car containing five people last month.

Larry Dean Flanigan Jr. is to be tried on two counts of aggravated battery and three counts of aggravated assault in March. Flanigan pleaded not guilty to the five felony counts on Jan. 3.

Flanigan, 19, is accused of firing a shotgun at the vehicle on Dec. 6. The blast blew out the vehicle’s rear window and pellets struck two people inside, inflicting serious, but not life-threatening, injuries.

The shooting occurred north of Clark Fork. The carload of teens and young adults went to Flanigan’s residence on East Mountainview Road. One of the vehicle’s occupants was planning to fist fight Flanigan, according to prior testimony in the case.

Flanigan allegedly greeted the group with a 12-gauge shotgun, prompting them to retreat. Flanigan is accused of firing the shot as the vehicle attempted to leave the scene.

Judge Justin Julian ruled last month that there was sufficient evidence to justify trying Flanigan in 1st District Court. Prior to the preliminary hearing, the state offered to dismiss four of the counts if Flanigan agreed to plead guilty to one count of aggravated battery.

Flanigan rejected the offer.

A hearing to determine if Flanigan should be appointed new defense counsel is set for Tuesday.

Another hearing is set for Thursday to take up the matter of Flanigan’s bail.

Flanigan bail is set at $100,000. The defense seeks to have that sum reduced or have Flanigan released on his own recognizance.