Jury trial set for man accused of murdering his uncle

A jury trial is set to begin in January for a man accused in the shooting death of his uncle in 2018.

James Francis Montano, 33, of Bayfield County, was arrested in April 2018 in Carlton County for shooting his uncle, 57-year-old Andrew James Gokee, and injuring Gokee’s son, 38-year-old Hudson Gauthier, Montano’s cousin. The Bayfield man faces charges of first-degree premeditated murder, attempted premeditated first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder and assault in the second degree.

According to the criminal complaint:

Carlton County deputies were called to 4020 Karl Road in Progress Township at 11:36 p.m. April 20, 2018, regarding a shooting that had taken place. Gauthier told them that he and his father were approaching their car after leaving the residence to go to the Black Bear Casino when Montano suddenly appeared near the front of the vehicle, holding some type of firearm. At that point, Gauthier said they thought it was some kind of prank, and told Montano he scared them, Montano allegedly responded by saying “this wasn’t a f*cking joke” and that he was going to kill them. At that point, Gauthier said he saw a flash and heard the repercussion from a firearm. As he ducked, he felt it rush past his right arm, grazing him, and he began to back away from Montano and fell down. At that point he heard a second shot but didn’t know where Montano was shooting.

Gauthier said he began yelling for Montano’s father to come out and help them. After being chased by Montano and checking on his father, who had been shot in the head, he made his way into the residence and retrieved a .22 caliber pistol. He went back outside to where his father was lying in the driveway and shortly thereafter, Montano approached him. Because he believed Montano was still armed and because he continued to approach even though he was yelling at him to stop, Gauthier said he fired a warning shot into the ground. He then allegedly fired a second shot toward Montano, who was still some distance away.

At that point, according to the criminal complaint, Montano stopped and took off running toward a wooded area behind the house and that was the last time Gauthier saw him.

Law enforcement processed the scene as the manhunt continued for Montano. Both the pistol used by Gauthier and the gun allegedly used by Montano were retrieved and taken into custody.

After approximately three-and-a-half hours of searching, Montano was located in a field and taken into custody without incident. He had been wounded in the upper chest area by Gauthier’s second shot, but the wound was not life threatening. He was arrested and taken to a medical facility in Duluth. Court proceedings were halted for a short time when the judge ordered a mental health evaluation for Montano, but he has since been found competent to stand trial.

A motion hearing in the case is set for Dec. 9. The jury trial is scheduled to begin Jan. 6, 2020.