Viswa Vanapalli
Towards the end of 2013, an escalating feud between two neighbors took a fatal turn when Timothy “Tim” Newman was found heinously murdered beside a wood fence. NBC News’ ‘Dateline: The Feud’ focuses on this very case and chronicles the events that led to his slaying, along with what happened in the aftermath. So, if you’re curious to find out more about the same, we’ve got you covered.
How Did Tim Newman Die?
Timothy Bruce Newman was born in Arcadia, California, in August 1960. Growing up, he spent countless summers on ranches in Montana and, in 2001, moved there to start a new chapter of his life. He eventually established an electric business and even serviced generators in nearby areas. At the time of the incident, the 53-year-old had been married to Jackie Newman, and they had a daughter.
Tim was also an outdoorsman who enjoyed horseback riding, photography, hunting, and fishing. Yet everything changed on October 18, 2013. A 911 call had the authorities rush to Dearborn Canyon in Montana, and Tim was found lying face-up by a fence. He was shot once in the back, with the bullet severing his spinal cord, and another time in his right hand. The sole shooter was actually taken into custody immediately, meaning the ensuing investigation primarily centered around why the incident occurred in the first place.
Who Killed Tim Newman?
The authorities arrested Joseph Campbell, who was standing on the other side of the fence when they arrived. His wife had called 911 to report an altercation between him and Tim, following which gunshots rang out. It soon came to light that the two men had started as friends after the latter had moved there. But their bond gradually deteriorated to such an extent that they barely talked in the time preceding the incident.
Then, the police learned that Joseph and Tim had been involved in a long-standing dispute over land access in their remote area, about 20 miles from Augusta, Montana. The way to some public lands ran through the former’s property, and he tried to block it by installing a fence. However, Tim felt he should be able to access the land, leading to an escalating dispute that sadly had a bloody and fatal conclusion.
Joseph soon told detectives Tim had stalked and followed him on that fateful day as if hoping for a confrontation. He claimed to have felt seriously threatened by his neighbor as he’d seen him on an all-terrain vehicle with a pair of bolt cutters. Tim allegedly wanted to cut the locks on the fences, something he had been cited for in the past. And that’s when the two men ended up on either side of the barrier, with Joseph stating he opened fire in self-defense after believing Tim would shoot with his .357 pistol.
According to Joseph’s narrative, he first shot his once-friend in the chest before pulling the trigger another time when he tried to rise up on his knees and elbows. He insisted on the second one because he thought Tim would retaliate if he stood up. However, the evidence told a different story; per the scene reconstruction and autopsy, it’s likely Tim was walking or running away when he was shot in the back.
Furthermore, testimony at Joseph’s trial had multiple neighbors accusing him of terrorizing them all with the help of his gun; he’d had disagreements regarding the land access them as well. Another neighbor added that in June 2013, Joseph had said, “Tim Newman is either going to jail, or they will be putting him in a body bag.” He’d even uttered a similar threat while speaking with the Deputy County Attorney.
Joseph initially stood trial in February 2016, yet it ended with the jury being deadlocked. The judge thus declared a mistrial. Then, mere there months later, in May 2016, Joseph pled no contest to negligent homicide and received a suspended sentence with probation. Jackie addressed him before the sentencing and said, “In your decision, you took an innocent life from those who knew him (Tim) and loved him. We were always on God’s journey as husband and wife to enjoy every day with family and friends.”
Read More: Where is Joseph Campbell Now?
