Man's past resurfaces in shooting investigation

SANDPOINT - The prosecution of a Bonner County man accused of shooting another man during an argument took an unexpected turn during a preliminary hearing on Wednesday.

The suspect in the shooting is Michael Jesse Chisholm, who is also known as Michael Allen Pederson. He was reported missing in California nearly 30 years ago. Pederson was last seen in Livermore, Calif., on April 26, 1986, according to the Doe Network, an online clearinghouse for unidentified and missing persons.

Chisholm was granted a postponement in Wednesday's hearing and his use of an alias was divulged as the defense sought to reduce his bail while the state sought to increase it.

"He was running from active cases in California," Greenbank told magistrate court Judge Justin Julian. "That is a concern for future appearances."

Greenbank proposed increasing Chisholm's bail from $50,000 to $500,000 in light of the use of the alias and the circumstances of the shooting case, which included fleeing deputies while armed with two handguns.

Deputy Public Defender Dan Taylor opposed increasing Chisholm's bail.

"There is no evidence at this time that he changed his name for anything but an innocuous purpose," said Taylor.

Taylor added that Chisholm owns property here, which diminishes his flight risk. Chisholm has no family ties here, although he does have a dense network of social ones as evidenced by the group of people who gathered in the courtroom gallery to watch the hearing.

Greenbank said a review of the FBI's National Crime Information Center showed Pederson had arrests in the 1960s and '70s for felony drug possession, receiving stolen property and battery. However, Greenbank said it was unclear in the NCIC database if Pederson had actually been convicted of those offenses.

Julian declined to overrule the bail imposed by Judge Lori Meulenberg and urged the state and the defense to put the question before her at a future hearing.

Chisholm, 66, is charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon in connection with June 28 shooting at Bloom Lake, where he is caretaker of a campground. The alleged victim, 49, was shot behind the right scapula and the bullet lodged in his pelvic region.

The shooting was preceded by an argument, although it's not clear in court records what the argument was about. Alcohol was involved, prosecutors said.

Chisholm fled in a vehicle, but crashed about a quarter-mile from the campground and continued his flight on foot. A deputy's K9 tracked Chisholm to a wooded area about 2 miles from the lake.

Investigators recovered a .45-caliber semiautomatic pistol authorities believe was used in the shooting and a revolver.

The alleged victim is recovering from his wounds.

Chisholm's supporters contend he acted in self-defense when the shooting occurred.