Ellsworth verdict vacated after court document mishap

By: Jordan Hansen

Outlets: Daily Montanan

Published: July 23, 2026

Words: 506

Last Updated: 4 weeks ago

Sen. Jason Ellsworth, a Bitterroot Republican, is no longer guilty of official misconduct after his verdict was vacated following a court error.

Joan Mell, one of Ellsworth’s lawyers, said Wednesday afternoon, “He’s no longer guilty of anything.”

The Montana Department of Justice told the Daily Montanan that it plans to retry the case.

“The Attorney General’s Office looks forward to retrying this case. We are confident the jury will come to the same correct conclusion …

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