A Kalispell man who allegedly admitted to assaulting his wife in 2025 received a deferred sentence in Flathead County District Court late last year.  

Prosecutors brought Malakai Steven Long, 21, up on a felony count of aggravated assault following his March 4 arrest. Though he pleaded not guilty before Judge Paul Sullivan later that month, Long took a deal in late September.  

In exchange for a guilty plea to an amended felony criminal endangerment charge, prosecutors agreed to recommend a six-year deferred sentence. The deal also required Long to pay any restitution and court-imposed fines.  

Sullivan stuck to the terms of the arrangement at Long's Nov. 20 sentencing. He gave Long credit for 63 days of time served.  

On the day of his arrest, Long began yelling at his wife, telling her that he wanted a divorce, according to court documents. After she slapped him on the back of the neck, Long pushed her down and punched her in the arms and ribs, court documents said. Then he allegedly choked her for about 45 seconds.  

After releasing his grip, Long grabbed a knife and held it to her neck before turning it on himself and cutting his wrist, court documents alleged. He later fled the couple's Farm to Market Road home on foot.  

Responding Flathead County Sheriff's Office deputies described the home as in disarray and reported seeing bruising on the victim's neck, arm and wrists, according to court documents.  

Long admitted to assaulting his wife after deputies took him into custody, court documents said.  

"I didn't want to [expletive] hurt my wife, man," he allegedly said. "She hit me and I [expletive] hit her and then I choked her, and I wasn't thinking while I was doing it." 

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or [email protected].