Ex-Prison Chief Gambled On Inmate But Montana Corrections Director Says Convicted Murderer Shouldn’t Have Been On Advisory Panel

Corrections Director Rick Day says former prison chief Mickey Gamble broke his own rules by putting murderer Larry Moore on an inmate advisory council.

Day said he doesn’t know why Moore was allowed onto the council since Moore has never admitted his crime, one of the requirements for serving on the committee.

“Mr. Gamble didn’t follow his own policy,” Day, Gamble’s former boss, told the Bozeman Daily Chronicle.

Gamble resigned in November, shortly after it was reported he had taken a murderer and two other inmates out to dinner, and the council he created was dissolved.

Gallatin County Attorney Mike Salvagni, who helped convict Moore, said he found out Moore was on the council last August.

“I was shocked to say the least,” Salvagni said.

Moore’s crime prompted the biggest manhunt and most expensive trial in Gallatin County history, as investigators searched for months for the body of the victim, Brad Brisbin, which has never been found. Moore maintains his innocence and says Brisbin is alive somewhere.

Sheriff Bill Slaughter said he was outraged at Moore’s appointment.

“That really rang my bell, that exceptions were made for Larry Moore so he could be on that council,” Slaughter said. “He’s a convicted killer who has never confessed. He should be treated accordingly.”

Salvagni said punishment is what keeps people from committing more crimes.

“If you make it easy for them, what good does it do?” Salvagni said. “You make it tough so they don’t do it again.”

Day agreed, but said prisons aren’t allowed by state law to inflict more punishment than is prescribed by the judge.