Jury trial set for next August in Sheehy ammo injury lawsuit
MISSOULA, Mont. — U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy’s lawsuit against an ammunition manufacturer is scheduled for a jury trial next August after a federal judge set deadlines for the case to move forward.
A preliminary pretrial conference held Wednesday in Missoula was closed to the media, but NBC Montana obtained court documents showing next steps in the trial.
U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen scheduled a seven-member jury trial for Aug. 30, 2027, at the Russell Smith Federal Courthouse in Missoula.
Sheehy alleges .308 ammunition manufactured by Freedom Munitions LLC malfunctioned twice while he was target shooting, injuring his face and hands and damaging two rifles.
The company disputes liability and argues Sheehy continued using the ammunition after being told the ammunition caused the first rifle failure.
Wednesday’s order establishes the timeline for the next stages of the case. The parties have until Jan. 8 to amend their pleadings. Sheehy must disclose damages experts, and both sides must disclose liability experts, by April 14. Freedom’s damages experts are due May 14.
Discovery must be completed by June 4, followed by a July 9 deadline for fully briefed motions. Those motions could determine whether any claims are resolved before trial. A final pretrial conference is scheduled for Aug. 26.