Two young men plead not guilty to assault
Jesse Davis | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 11 years, 3 months AGO
Two of three Kalispell men charged with assaulting another man at the Ferndale Market have pleaded not guilty.
Andrew Taylor Nelson, Gaige Christopher Mower and Ryan Horn are each charged with felony aggravated assault, while Nelson also faces a felony charge of assault with a weapon for allegedly hitting the victim, Antonio Valencia, with a golf club until it broke.
The incident apparently began as a road rage incident that led to the three in one vehicle following Valencia to the market, where the alleged assault occurred.
The incident was captured on a cellphone video and surveillance footage from the market, and a witness had also followed the two vehicles to the market and saw the assault.
Nelson and Horn, both 19, pleaded not guilty Thursday in Flathead District Court. The next hearing in their cases is set for Oct. 30. An arraignment also had been scheduled Thursday for Mower, 20, but it was continued to Aug. 8.
If convicted of his charges, Nelson faces between two and 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000, while Mower and Horn face between two and 20 years in prison and fines of up to $50,000.
Nelson is currently incarcerated in the Flathead County Detention Center, where his bond is set at $30,000. Mower was released after posting a $30,000 warrant. Horn was originally arrested on a $30,000 bond, but a judge ordered his release Wednesday.
Reporter Jesse Davis may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at jdavis@dailyinterlake.com.