CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2023 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
Scroll To Top
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
A former Cascade County, Mont., justice of the peace, who resigned last year after gay porn was found on his work computer, hanged himself Monday morning. Michael Smartt, 52, was found in the basement of the Rainbow Retirement home, where he often played the piano and where his Shriner's club met. He was alone when he hanged himself sometime between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m., Chief Deputy Coroner Lt. Jim Bruckner said. A worker found his body shortly after 5 a.m. Toxicology tests are being conducted, Bruckner said. Close friend and fellow attorney Channing Hartelius, who also represented Smartt in his defense against misconduct charges, said Smartt missed being a judge. "That whole judgeship thing really got to him--being a judge was the love of his life," Hartelius told the Great Falls Tribune Monday evening. In October 2000, fellow justice of the peace Sam Harris and a staff member discovered gay pornography on Smartt's computer. Smartt said he was looking for images for a joke birthday card for his wife. Although county officials found he had broken no rules, the state Judicial Standards Commission, which also heard testimony on charges that Smartt broke into a Sidney man's house and molested him, recommended Smartt be removed from office. In the midst of the controversy, Smartt chose to run for a different justice of the peace seat. He was defeated in the June primary. In October 2002, Smartt was suspended without pay until the end of his term that December. He resigned the following week. Smartt had returned to family law, and his business was beginning to build, and he was an active Shriner and Mason, said Hartelius and longtime friend and fellow Shriner Jerry Evans. Two of Smartt's four brothers also killed themselves. In August 1980, George "Matt" Smartt Jr. died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and in August 2002, Edward L. "Ned" Smartt, 50, shot himself at Haggarty Motors, the family business.
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Lauren Boebert Caught Fondling Date’s Genitals During Family-Friendly Musical: Video
September 15 2023 11:20 PM
Watch Now: Advocate Channel
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Latest Stories
Sexual Assault, Secret Throuple: New Allegations Against Florida GOP Power Couple
November 30 2023 5:10 PM
The Pride Store: Discover More LGBTQ+ & Ally Brands Tailor Made for Celebrating Your Identity
November 30 2023 3:03 PM
Forever Mine: Why LGBTQ+ Parents Should Consider Adopting Their Own Children
November 30 2023 12:25 PM