Thinking more about this case, I'm not sure how competent this guy is. Besides what appears to be paranoia, there's this quote from the 49 year old:
"METCALF then talked about how since he has moved to Montana, he has begged his mother to buy him a handgun to protect her property. He stated that she refuses to with numerous excuses as to why. He then said that her refusal is going to lead to him being shot."
"FO Stroble then asked about how METCALF would check his yard for incendiary devices. He stated that he stands watch during the night and gets just a few hours of sleep in the morning. He said the first thing he does when he leaves his front door is to sweep his property for anyone lying in wait and to make sure no one has left incendiary devices and explosives around the house. METCALF said that Carpenter set up an elaborate trap with gasoline and a leaf blower. He said that Carpenter also left his lawnmower on high-idle to what METCALF assumed would mask any screams."
"METCALF believed the lack of physical presence from law enforcement was due to his property being "bombarded" with chemicals."
So not the sharpest tool in the shed. Also I don't know how successful he would be with a public defender, who are usually overworked and less experienced. Sometimes you'll get lucky and get a really good one but that's uncommon. Most criminal defense attorney's aren't good at civil rights law, much less a public defender. Hopefully a gun rights org will help him out.
According to police records, the cops were warned not to approach the neighbors who were harassing Metcalf because they were dangerous -- gang members who routinely had other gang members in their home.
Metcalf obtained a TRO, but it didn't stop the neighbor from threatening the wife and Metcalf himself.
After years of trying to get police protection, he began using his shotgun to create a show of force to hopefully deter more harassment or worse. He stated he would have preferred to carry a pistol that's less visible to the public, but he can't afford one at the moment.
He's never been arrested by local police, never been a felon, never had mental health problems, never been accused of any crime, and never accused of threatening anyone with his firearm.
Apparently the neighbor has tried to set fire to Metcalf's home in the past.
He might be a little bit paranoid, and he might be utilizing methods that seem odd, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have reason to fear the people harassing him and his wife. The TRO was issued with some basis, I would think, so evidence of bad behavior by the neighbor has to exist.
Apparently the TRO hasn't prevented more harassment, which we all know is common. A piece of paper from a judge isn't going to stop a criminal.