A misdemeanor charge of partner or family member assault against Flathead County Deputy Attorney Kenneth “Rusty” Park has been dismissed in just 34 days.

Park’s attorney, Thane Johnson, reported Thursday afternoon that he had just received a copy of the order dismissing the case, and that “it simply says the state was convinced that they could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt the allegations as asserted in the complaint.”

The charge was filed against Park after he was alleged to have gotten into an argument with his wife, Diana, and thrown a laundry basket containing several items at her, striking her and leaving bruises.

Park was arrested and transported to the Flathead County Detention Center until Johnson was able to secure a midnight hearing from Justice of the Peace Mark Sullivan to keep him from sitting in jail all weekend. Sullivan later recused himself, and the case was transferred to Lincoln County Justice Court.

Prosecution of the case had also been transferred to the Montana Attorney General’s Office by Flathead County Attorney Ed Corrigan, who said he was attempting to eliminate any possibility of bias, which could have been alleged if he prosecuted his own employee.

Johnson said he was happy with the outcome.

“That was the correct decision,” he said. “I’m glad that Kenneth Park is back doing his service to the people of Flathead County because he’s an excellent prosecutor.”

In fact, Park was already back in court as of 4:30 p.m. Thursday. He declined comment.

It is unclear how the ruling will affect Diana Park’s restraining order filing against her husband, which cites the April 26 incident as the main reason behind her request, itself part of divorce proceedings. A hearing on the request is currently set for June 24.

As of press time, she had not responded to a message left Thursday afternoon.

Reporter Jesse Davis may be reached at 758-4441 or at jdavis@dailyinterlake.com.