BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) — A transient accused of shooting his camping companion in Bozeman has been sentenced to five years' probation after pleading guilty to a charge of criminal endangerment.

John David Hodges had originally been charged with attempted deliberate homicide and tampering with evidence after the Aug. 25 shooting near an Interstate 90 overpass.

The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports in a story published (http://bit.ly/1p1o3vD ) Tuesday that the 53-year-old Hodges pleaded guilty to the lesser charge in July. The plea agreement with prosecutors called for a five-year suspended sentence with credit for time served.

Prosecutors say Hodges shot Robert Black during an argument in which Hodges accused Black of knocking down one of his tent poles.

Hodges told officers Black pulled a knife on him, an allegation Black denied.

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