Kenneth James Floyd was taken into custody Friday evening after testifying at his negligent homicide trial in Flathead District Court.  

Judge Dan Wilson, who is presiding over the case, said Floyd knowingly made false statements during his testimony and to the detective who interviewed him on June 18, 2023 after he allegedly ran over his ex-wife, Kimberly Gilham, with his truck in a Martin City alleyway, causing her death in the early morning hours of that day.  

Wilson ordered Floyd to be detained to ensure he comes back to the courtroom to continue his trial on Monday, when closing statements are expected to be made.   

“I have real concerns that just like that night, he’s going to flee,” Wilson said.

Floyd, 40, has pleaded not guilty to a felony count of negligent homicide, leaving the scene of a vehicle accident involving serious bodily injury or death and tampering with physical evidence. His trial began on Monday, Oct. 27. 

Floyd testified on Friday that Gilham asked him through Snapchat to come by her house in Martin City on the evening of June 17, 2023. He said he had been staying at his mother’s house nearby.  

Although Kimberly was married to Chris Gilham at the time, Floyd testified that he and Kimberly had been reconciling their relationship over the past months, flirting over texts and social media.  

Floyd drove his truck to the alleyway behind Kimberly’s house at around 10:30 p.m., and the two shared a bottle of vodka and 7 Up soda, he testified. 

A few hours later at 1 a.m. on June 18, 2023, prosecutors alleged, and Floyd testified that Chris spotted the two together in his truck and began yelling at Floyd. 

Floyd said Chris started banging on Floyd’s vehicle window, and Kimberly exited the pickup with the vodka and soda.  

As Kimberly rounded the front of the truck, prosecutors allege Floyd shifted into drive and ran her over as he left the alley between First Avenue North and Central Avenue. 

But Floyd testified Friday that he saw Kimberly exit his truck and stand near some bushes in the alley. He said he saw her standing up as he drove out of the alley. 

When first responders arrived at around 1 a.m., they found Gilham still alive, though lying on the ground with an open fracture on her left leg, according to a first responder who testified Wednesday. 

While Gilham was rushed to Kalispell, law enforcement personnel with the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office and Montana Highway Patrol were looking for Floyd. Investigators testified Wednesday that he fled to Browning after the ultimately fatal collision. 

Gilham suffered cardiac arrest and died as they pulled into the hospital; the first responder testified. 

If convicted of negligent homicide, Floyd faces up to 20 years behind bars and a $50,000 fine. 

Special Deputy County Attorney Eric Kitzmiller and Assistant Attorney General Edward Hirsch are prosecuting the case. The two are on loan from the state after County Attorney Travis Ahner requested help with his office’s caseload in 2024, citing staffing shortages at the time.   

Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 758-4407 and [email protected].