Locals part of national TV show
The TV show “America’s Most Wanted”
will feature the search for David Burgert, an ex-militia leader
from Flathead County, during the show’s season premier which airs
Saturday on Fox.
Whitefish folks may recognize a few
faces during the show. Morgan Phelps, Brian Cain and R.J. Buzzard
all had roles in a reenactment for the show. Local residents Noma
Buzzard and Liz Cain also assisted with production for the
show.
The “America’s Most Wanted” crew
recently spent time in Missoula and the Flathead Valley filming.
Reenactments were shot in Lolo and the Trumble Creek area. Many
Montana residents, including Flathead and Missoula law enforcement
officers, participated in the shoot.
The show, in an episode listed as “50
Fugitives in 50 States,” is featuring the story of David Burgert,
who in June shot at Missoula County sheriff’s deputies and fled
into the woods. Burgert is known for his affiliation with the group
Project 7.
Morgan Phelps has been involved in
several local theater productions. Playing a young recreuit of
Burgert’s, this was his first time acting for TV.
While he didn’t specifically fit any of
the advertised roles, Phelps, 25, decided to audition for the part
of a 17-year-old. He is currently rehearsing as Rolfe in the the
Whitefish Theatre Company’s production of “The Sound of Music” and
felt it was possible for him to play a younger role.
He didn’t get the original part, but
was still cast for the reenactment.
“I was cast for one that wasn’t pitched
to me,” he said. “It was pretty fun. I was there for nine hours and
was only in a couple of scenes. I was hanging out a lot of the
time, but it was a good experience.”
Liz Cain served as a production
assistant during filming. She worked in makeup, craft services and
was an RV driver. Cain, who has a film and theater background, was
contacted by the show because her name is in the Montana Production
Guide, a listing of those available to work on such
productions.
Cain worked with the TV show’s crew for
five days. Casting took place out of her home and she met the
show’s host John Walsh when he filmed in Lolo.
“John Walsh was the nicest guy you
would ever want to meet,” she said. “He insisted on taking
individual pictures with everyone around.”
Cain had many memorable moments during
filming including shaving the head of actor Daniel Lehn, who played
Burgert in the reenactment.
Cain heard the show was looking for a
young man to play one of the parts in the reenactment and told her
son, Brian, to tryout. He is attending school in Missoula.
Brian, a 2006 graduate of Whitefish
High School, got the part and had a speaking role in the
re-enactment that took place in Lolo.
“I didn’t think he had a chance, but
they cast him,” Cain said.
Noma Buzzard served as locations’ scout
and her son RJ was an extra on camera.
Members of the Project 7 group gained
notice in 2002 for allegedly stockpiling firearms and plotting to
assassinate local officials. Burgert was arrested after an armed
standoff with law enforcement officer and sentenced to federal
prison.
He was released from custody in March
2010. Law enforcement has been searching for Burgert since he shot
at deputies in June and led them on a chase along U.S. Highway
12.