Judge rejects plea deal in Barkus boat crash

KALISPELL, Mont. (AP) — A district judge has rejected a proposed plea agreement for Greg Barkus that would have allowed the former state senator to avoid jail and expunge his record after 18 months.

Barkus pleaded no contest last month to felony criminal endangerment after crashing his boat in Flathead Lake, injuring everyone on board.

Prosecutors say Barkus’ blood-alcohol level was 0.16, or twice the legal limit, two hours after the crash.

The plea agreement called for prosecutors to drop two other felony charges against the Kalispell Republican and recommend a three-year deferred sentence.

KECI-TV reports that District Judge John McKeon of Malta rejected the deal on Thursday.

The Aug. 27, 2009, crash injured U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg, two of his staffers, Barkus and his wife.