Here is a lesson for all you little kids out there. Stereotyping might work 95% of the time but it is never to be taken as an absolute law. A night in jail did not seem to do much to settle the bad blood between three members of a Laurel family. Eugene Heitkemper and his two sons, Adam and Todd, appeared in Justice Court Wednesday afternoon on charges that stemmed from a Tuesday evening fight over a piece of chicken. 

Todd Heitkemper, 23, was pulled from the court room after he issued profanities and slurs aimed at his 52-year-old father and 18-year-old brother.

"He's got a temper. I don't know what sets him off," said Sandra Heitkemper, Todd's mother, who watched the chaotic proceeding from the gallery.

Todd Heitkemper, who allegedly threatened sheriff's deputies and tried to kill himself after Tuesday night's fight by jumping in front of a semi on Interstate 90, faces a felony criminal endangerment charge and a misdemeanor criminal mischief charge. Adam and Eugene Heitkemper have each been charged with partner or family member assault for their involvement with the initial fight Tuesday evening.

Eugene Heitkemper told O'Donnell that he and Todd had been arguing over the number of pieces of chicken Todd could eat, according to the affidavit filed in Justice Court.

Todd Heitkemper wanted two pieces of chicken "but Eugene Heitkemper would only let him have one," the affidavit read.

The argument escalated to fisticuffs between Eugene, Todd and Adam. When the fight ended, Todd Heitkemper left the house. As he was leaving, he picked up a handful of stones and threw them through the front picture window.

After hearing the story, O'Donnell began searching Laurel for Todd Heitkemper. Shortly after leaving the home, a dispatcher notified O'Donnell that Todd Heitkemper had called and stated that if he sees any cops "someone is going to get killed," according to the affidavit. Todd Heitkemper also told dispatchers that if anyone tried to arrest him "he would stab himself in the throat and jump into traffic," according to the affidavit. The call was traced and O'Donnell soon located Todd Heitkemper, who was hiding not far from I-90. Heitkemper spotted the deputy and walked toward the interstate. He jumped a fence and held a screwdriver to his throat, saying he would kill himself if O'Donnell didn't leave, according to the affidavit.

O'Donnell tried to get closer. Heitkemper walked onto the interstate and began walking backwards into traffic. "At this time, traffic was fairly heavy and vehicles were passing at a high rate of speed," according to the affidavit. O'Donnell waved his arms to warm oncoming vehicles.

Heitkemper threw himself in front of a pickup, which locked its brakes and skidded toward the median. Heitkemper then ran toward an oncoming tractor-trailer semi. The driver of the semi was able to swerve.

"During this entire time, (Heitkemper) held the screwdriver to his neck," according to the affidavit. "In fact, Deputy O'Donnell observed blood on (Heitkemper's) neck."

Heitkemper then walked into the borrow pit on the south side of I-90. O'Donnell kept talking to him, trying to calm him. When O'Donnell was close enough, he grabbed the screw driver and tried to spray Heitkemper with pepper spray. "Due to high winds, the spray also hit Deputy O'Donnell in the face," according to the affidavit.

Three officers were eventually able to handcuff Heitkemper. At the Yellowstone County jail, Heitkemper apologized for his actions, according to the affidavit.

When Heitkemper appeared in court, he did not act so contrite.

"Judge, I would like to say something," Heitkemper said repeatedly.

Judge Larry D. Herman ordered Heitkemper to save his testimony for his date in District Court on April 11.

"Why did you ask me if I wanted a (court-appointed) attorney then? That's like a plea," Heitkemper said.

"Todd, quiet!" ordered one of the bailiffs.

Heitkemper continued to argue with the judge. His father and brother watched quietly from the prisoner's gallery.

"I'll gag you before you leave here," Herman threatened.

Deputy County Attorney Ed Zink asked for a $25,000 bond and noted that Heitkemper had a lengthy criminal record. Herman agreed and said if Heitkemper's criminal record were any longer "you would have to get on a step ladder to read it."

Heitkemper kept raging.

Herman ordered a $30,000 bond.

The bailiffs took Heitkemper from the court room. He continued to speak out.

"It's bull----!" he yelled. "You know damn well it's a f----- bunch of lies."

Adam Heitkemper pleaded not guilty to his charge. It was his first offense, Zink said.

Herman set his bond at $500.

Sandra Heitkemper said she doesn't understand why Adam was charged.

"He didn't need to get arrested," she told The Gazette. "He was getting beat up."

Eugene Heitkemper also pleaded not guilty. According to the complaint, during the course of the chicken fight, Eugene Heitkemper "threw a hot cup of coffee at his son Todd. He then punched Todd in the chest causing physical pain."

Herman told Eugene Heitkemper that he could face a maximum of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine if he is convicted.

Eugene Heitkemper wanted more specifics on what punishment he would receive. "If I plead guilty to this," he started asking Herman.

"We're not here to bargain," Herman said, cutting him off. Herman set his bond at $1,000.

Until the charges are settled, Herman ordered Adam and Eugene Heitkemper to report "on a regular basis" to a probation officer.