JUDGE QUESTIONS TIMING OF CHARGES AGAINST SON

Supporter Of Election Opponent Files Drug Case Against Youth

GREAT FALLS, Mont. _ District Judge Marge Johnson had suspected her son
might be involved with drugs, but the cocaine-dealing charges filed against
him Monday were devastating to her and her husband, she said.

Nevertheless, she is suspicious of the timing of the charges, coming just
two weeks before the election in which she is seeking another term. In
addition, they were filed by Cascade County Attorney Brant Light, who
attacked her last week in a letter to the Great Falls Tribune and has
endorsed her opponent, Julie Macek, his chief deputy.

Kirk Steven Johnson, 18, is charged with selling half a gram of cocaine to
an informant in September 1999 for $50, and with accountability for the
sale of an unspecified small amount to an undercover agent in February
outside the Johnsons' Great Falls home.

He has been released on his own recognizance. The judge said she expects
the case to end up in Youth Court, since he was younger than 18 when he
allegedly committed the crimes.

"I view these as very serious charges," Judge Johnson said. "We will deal
with them very responsibly."

She said she and her husband, attorney Steven Johnson, confronted their son
months ago about possible drug use and even obtained a drug test, which was
negative.

"The timeliness of this action -- I don't think the public needs me to
explain what's happening," she said.

"I don't expect to be treated any differently," Johnson said. "But I don't
expect (Kirk) to be treated unfairly. I don't expect him to be the subject
of an abuse of power."

Light said the election played no role in his decision on when to file the
charges. He said he would be questioned just as harshly if he had delayed
the charges until after the election.

Light said cases involving undercover drug sales typically reach
prosecutors several months after the alleged incident because agents try to
work the case for more information and bigger drug dealers.