Accused stabbing assailant returned to jail

A Libby man accused of stabbing a woman during an alleged incident at a local bar in September 2023 is back in custody.

David Kenneth Reid, 38, pleaded not guilty last year to one felony count of aggravated assault and two misdemeanors, including obstruction and carrying a concealed weapon while under the influence.

He was lodged in the Lincoln County Detention Center on Sept. 9, 2023, before being released after posting a property bond of $125,000 on Sept. 12.

Reid was in court Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, for an omnibus hearing where he was taken into custody. Reid had a bench warrant issued for his arrest after an incident earlier this summer.

According to a court document filed July 26, Reid was at a local business June 24 to pay a bill for the repair of a tire. According to employees at the business, Reid was agitated about the cost, $98.95. The employees also noticed Reid was carrying a pistol in a holster on hip.

Part of Reid's terms of release are that he not possess any weapons. On July 29, District Judge Matt Cuffe issued a bench warrant in the amount of $200,000 for Reid's arrest and revoked his $125,000 bond.

During the omnibus hearing, it was determined a possible trial would last about two days. The trial was scheduled for the January 2025 term.

According to a probable cause statement by Libby Police Sgt. Ronald Buckner, dispatch advised law enforcement of a stabbing at about 2:03 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9 at the bar.

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy Derek Breiland found a 47-year-old woman outside the bar on the sidewalk. Breiland and Buckner learned she had been stabbed in the chest directly in line with her heart. The one-inch cut was bleeding profusely.

The woman said she and her friend didn’t know the man that allegedly stabbed her, but that he had been hitting on her throughout the night and she declined his advances.

The woman, who was taken to Cabinet Peaks Medical Center by ambulance, and other witnesses described the man as having a peppered color long beard. According to Buckner’s report, the man left his credit card on the bar in front of the stool where the stabbing had allegedly occurred. Buckner identified the man as Reid. Buckner also recovered the knife that was allegedly used in the stabbing at the scene. He also reported Reid fled the scene following the stabbing.

Buckner then reviewed security video from the bar with county deputies Derryberry and Fisher. Buckner wrote, “The video clearly shows Reid removing a knife from his right pocket while sitting on the bar stool and clearly shows Reid stabbing (the woman) in the chest and fleeing.”

Later, Deputy Breiland found Reid in his truck at the intersection of Main Avenue and West Fourth Street. The three deputies confirmed Reid’s identity and reported he was still wearing the same shirt seen in the bar security video.

The deputies attempted to order Reid to get out of the truck for 40 minutes, but he refused, according to Buckner’s report. The deputies said Reid was making assertive movements in his truck, placing his hands over his face and wiping sweat from his face. He also reached into the backseat part of the truck several times.

Then Reid was taken into custody and deputies said he was highly intoxicated. Reid had removed his shoes and jammed them under the brake and gas peddles of his truck.

During a search of Reid, Derryberry asked him if he had any weapons on his person. Reid allegedly replied that he didn’t have any weapons, but the officer found a loaded pistol in an ankle holster on Reid’s left ankle.

A conviction for assault with a weapon may result in a 20-year term in the Montana State Prison. Convictions in both misdemeanors could result in six-month county jail sentences.