Missoula Area News

Suspect accused of running over Missoula officer appears in court

Posted: Jan 9, 2013 10:08 PM by Irina Cates - MTN News
Updated: Jan 9, 2013 10:09 PM

MISSOULA - Dawnette Jean Eaton appeared in District Court Wednesday afternoon for violating her probation. Prosecutors said on December 23 police responded to Eaton's Missoula home to a report of drug overdose.

"A search of the defendant's bedroom yielded nearly $1,600 in cash, a variety of pills, four bags of what appeared to be methamphetamine and a large bag of what appeared to be black tar heroin," said Missoula District Judge Ed McLean.

Shortly after that hearing, Eaton appeared in Justice Court to face new charges, which for now, include Escape and leaving the scene of an accident.

"I would also ask the court the set a reappearance date for Friday. I believe more charges will be forthcoming. The officers involved were just being interview this afternoon and I need to read those reports before filing more charges," said Missoula Deputy County Attorney Jason Marks.

Eaton is accused of running over Officer Deni Poling Monday night, while she and Lt. Rich Stepper tried to arrest Eaton on a warrant in the McDonald's parking lot. Eaton backed over Poling and took off, but not before Stepper shot her while trying to get her to stop.

Then on Tuesday night, the sheriff's office arrested Kimberly Inman, 34, of Missoula for hiding Eaton while police searched for her.

"She came in for an interview and talked about what she had done, which included getting a call from Eaton. Going to her aid, picking her up and taking her up to the apartment in the South Hills area," said Missoula County Sheriff's Office PIO, Jason Johnson.

The Missoula County Sheriff's Office is continuing its investigation.

"We still need to talk to a couple of people who were directly involved in helping Eaton that evening. But if anybody has information that would help the investigation, we sure like to hear from them," Johnson said.

If you have information in this case, call Sergeant TJ McDermott at the Missoula sheriff's office at 406-258-4810.

Johnson says Poling is in stable condition and she's continuing to recover from her injuries in St. Patrick Hospital's ICU.

Eaton's bail was set at $150,000 for the probation violation and at $250,000 for the new charges.