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.