After ordering a red beer (beer and tomato juice) at a Hamilton, Montana bar, 59-year-old Monte Hanson became furious upon receiving a drink made with Clamato (which contains clam and tomato juice). Rather than send the drink back (as most other patrons would do), Hanson waited for the bar to close, drove to the home of 29-year-old Joe Lewis – the man who served him the clam-tastic beverage – and shot him.

According to the Montana Standard, “Hanson was apparently upset over the change because it was contrary to his religion, Judaism, to drink Clamato juice. Court records said he told a neighbor later that he was going to retaliate and kill Lewis.”

When he arrived home that night, Lewis took out his dog Jackson. Since his dog just had a toe removed, Lewis carried his beloved furry family member outside – a move that probably saved his life:

Lewis’ brother said Jackson was still in Joe’s arms when bullets began to fly behind the apartment house.Jackson was hit in the head by the first shot, Mike Lewis said. If the dog had not been there, the bullet likely would have struck Joe Lewis in the head.Mike Lewis is certain that Jackson saved his brother’s life.The second shot hit Joe Lewis in the ribs and exited out his back. Fortunately, it didn’t hit any vital organs.

Due to both the premeditated homicide and the vicious killing of Lewis’ dog Jackson, Hanson faces “a felony charge of attempted deliberate homicide and a misdemeanor count of animal cruelty.”

This is the America we now live in thanks to the far right. First we faced men like George Zimmerman who stalk teenagers and cite poorly written defense laws that allow them to get away with murder. We now appear to be entering the next phase of ludicrous murder defenses after “Christian” conservatives harped on everyone’s ability to express their “sincerely-held religious beliefs.”

Since Lewis will be out of work for several weeks after the shooting, his brother started a GoFundMe page to help with his basic expenses.

“Joe hasn’t asked for any of this,” Lewis’ brother told local media. “In fact, he’s pretty reluctant about it all. He’s the kind of guy who will give you the shirt off of his back and never ask for anything in return. It’s been hard on him to allow us to push him down and tell him he has to take it.”

Peacock Panache readers:

Tim Peacock is the Managing Editor and founder of Peacock Panache and has worked as a civil rights advocate for over twenty years. During that time he’s worn several hats including leading on campus LGBTQ advocacy in the University of Missouri campus system, interning with the Colorado Civil Rights Division, and volunteering at advocacy organizations. You can learn more about him at his personal website.

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