Another suspect in last summer's shooting spree on Basswood Lake in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness pleaded guilty today to reduced charges.
Zachary Ross Barton, 19, of Ely, pleaded guilty to one count of felony aiding and abetting terroristic threats and one misdemeanor count each of reckless discharge of a firearm and underage consumption of alcohol.
Barton will serve 20 days in a local jail and three years probation on the felony charge and also will testify against others charged in the case. He's also been ordered to stay out of the BWCAW for three years,
Barton testified in state district court in Lake County in Two Harbors this morning that he was in a group that took part in the terroristic threats of campers on Basswood Lake on Aug. 7. He conceded to drinking beer and firing his .22 firearm while on Newton Lake but said he did not join others in his group in shooting his gun or verbally threatening campers on Basswood Lake.
Other charges against Barton were dropped in exchange for the plea.
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Meanwhile today another suspect in the case, Jay Andrew Olson, 19, of Ely, entered pleas of not guilty to multiple felony and misdemeanor charges in the case. His trial likely would be held within about 90 days, although no date has been set.
Another suspect in the case, Barney James Lakner, 37, of Ely, again postponed his omnibus hearing, this time until Feb. 19.
Two other suspects pleaded guilty earlier this month. Casey James Fenske, 19, of Ely pleaded guilty Jan. 7 to one felony count of aiding and abetting terroristic threats; a gross misdemeanor for criminal damage to property; and a misdemeanor charge of reckless discharge of a firearm.
