On a Sunday evening in Butte, Montana, the life of William George Harris, a 42-year-old Caucasian male, was tragically cut short. On December 19, 2021, Harris was fatally shot in his home at 815 Main Street. The events that led to his death began with a bail bondsman's pursuit of a fugitive believed to be at Harris's residence.
Two men, Jay Steven Hubber, a bail bondsman, and his assistant, Nicholas John Jaeger, arrived at Harris's home to apprehend David Sandoval, who had skipped bail.
The situation escalated when Hubber and Jaeger forcibly entered the residence. Inside, a struggle ensued between Hubber and Sandoval, during which Hubber used a stun gun. When Harris intervened in the chaotic scene, Jaeger shot him twice, leading to his death.
Following the shooting, both Hubber and Jaeger were arrested and faced serious charges, including deliberate homicide and aggravated burglary. Their legal proceedings concluded in March 2024, when a jury found Jaeger guilty of deliberate homicide and Hubber guilty of deliberate homicide by accountability. Both men were subsequently sentenced to 60 years in the Department of Corrections, with 20 years suspended. The case brought attention to the practices of bail bondsmen and resulted in legislative changes in Montana to increase regulation of the industry.
