From Suspended Sentence to Arrested: The Strange Case of Bryce L. Morrison

On April 10, a Polson man named Bryce L. Morrison, 26, pleaded not guilty in Polson District Court to a felony burglary charge. This came just days after Morrison was given a suspended sentence on a burglary charge less than a month before. On March 24, police responded to a report of a burglary at two businesses – Stageline Pizza and Betty’s Diner. Surveillance footage allegedly showed Morrison inside the store without permission, taking money from the cash register and tip jar, along with two beers. Morrison was located and detained shortly after the incident, where he admitted to the break-in.

Morrison had previously been committed to the Montana Department of Corrections for five years, with all time suspended on a burglary conviction on March 20. This sentence was part of a plea agreement that dismissed multiple other charges, including criminal possession of dangerous drugs, theft, and another burglary charge from break-ins that occurred at the same location in July and August 2023. However, just four days following his earlier sentence, Morrison was charged with another burglary and is currently being held in the Lake County Jail with bond totaling $50,000.

Judge Molly Owen has set Morrison’s case for trial on September 16. In addition to the new burglary charge