Husband's trial is next month

Last week in a packed district court, Krista Orr was sentenced to two years with the Department of Corrections for her role in trying to cover up evidence in an alleged hit-and-run that left a Ronan woman dead.

Her attorney, Larry Nistler, pleaded with Judge C.B. McNeil, asking for his client to receive punishment and treatment locally so she could care for her 16-month-old child.

"I'd just like to take the chance to take care of my child," said Orr, sobbing and dabbing tears from her eye with a tissue.

Orr was sentenced to the DOC for 10 years with eight suspended for the felony charge of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.

According to court documents, Orr helped her husband Edward Ness wash his vehicle and change a shattered turn signal lens shortly after Ness allegedly struck Jami Sherman early in the morning of July 1 on Leighton Road west of Ronan.

Chief Deputy County Attorney Mitch Young said her actions have caused the Sherman family great grief "When simply coming forward would have amended that for everyone involved."

"That was a choice made by the defendant," he added.

Ness, meanwhile, is in custody on the same charge. His trial, which was supposed to start this week, has been rescheduled for late January.