Citing its unusual ending, the case against a Libby man accused of stabbing a woman at a local bar 2 1/2 years ago has come to a close.

David Kenneth Reid, 38, was found not guilty by mental disease or defect during a disposition hearing Thursday, March 19, in Lincoln County District Court. The charges against him included aggravated assault and two misdemeanors, including obstruction and carrying a concealed weapon while under the influence.

But Reid did not leave the courtroom a free man. He was taken into custody after Cuffe ordered Reid was a danger to himself and others. Reid was committed to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services for placement in an appropriate mental health facility to resume treatment for combat-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It’s possible he will be sent to the state hospital in Warm Springs.

“This is your opportunity to get treatment and help,” Cuffe said. “This incident isn’t just a whoops.”

Reid was in the military and served in Iraq where he developed PTSD.

“When I was released from the service, 20 years ago, my time in Iraq changed everything,” Reid said. “I do deeply regret someone was injured, but that is not who I want to be now or in the future. I don’t want it to define me.”

Prosecutor Jeff Zwang remarked what a rare outcome it was.

“It’s the first time I’ve had a case of this type,” Zwang said.

Cuffe agreed.

“This stipulation is one this court has not seen before,” Cuffe said.

Reid got into trouble in the early morning hours of Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, when he was at the Pastime Bar on Mineral Avenue in Libby. The woman he stabbed told law officers she and her friend didn’t know him. They said he was hitting on her throughout the night, but she declined his advances. Reid then stabbed her. 

Law officers responding to the scene found the 47-year-old woman in front of the bar, bleeding profusely from a 1-inch deep wound, according to court documents. She and other witnesses told former Libby police officer Ron Buckner and county deputy Derek Breiland said the man had a long, peppered-color beard.

Buckner reported the man left his credit card on the bar in front of the stool where the stabbing had allegedly occurred. Buckner identified the man as Reid. Buckner also recovered the knife that was allegedly used in the stabbing at the scene. Buckner then reviewed security video from the bar with county deputies James Derryberry and Ben Fisher. Buckner wrote, “The video clearly shows Reid removing a knife from his right pocket while sitting on the bar stool and clearly shows Reid stabbing (the woman) in the chest and fleeing.”

Later, deputy Breiland found Reid in his truck at the intersection of Main Avenue and West Fourth Street. The three deputies confirmed Reid’s identity and reported he was still wearing the same shirt seen in the bar security video.

After 40 minutes, Reid was taken into custody. Deputies said he was highly intoxicated.

During a search of Reid, Derryberry asked him if he had any weapons on his person. Reid allegedly replied that he didn’t, but the officer found a loaded pistol in an ankle holster on Reid’s left ankle.

Reid stayed out of trouble until June 24. According to a court document filed July 26, Reid was at a local business June 24 to pay a bill for the repair of a tire. According to employees at the business, Reid was agitated about the cost, $98.95. The employees also noticed Reid was carrying a pistol in a holster on hip.

Reid was taken into custody Sept. 9, 2024, when he appeared for a court hearing. Later, he posted bail.

In the mean time, Zwang sought mental health evaluations for Reid in an effort to determine his fitness to stand trial.

Two psychologists, Dr. Vincent River and Dr. Donna Zook, examined Reid.

River testified via Zoom at last week’s hearing following questioning by attorney Maury Solomon. He has been a practicing psychologist for 28 years, 26 in Montana, and has worked with prosecution and defense teams in previous cases.

“I felt he couldn’t appreciate the seriousness of the offense and lacked the ability to conform his behavior,” River said. 

The doctor said he’d reviewed Reid’s Veterans Administration records, which indicated his combat-related PTSD. River also said Reid suffered from chronic, major depressive order, long-standing autism and alcohol use.

River testified that when Reid stabbed the woman he was in a dissociative state.

“A person in this state can experience a flashback to a similar, prior event,” River said. “They are disconnected from reality. It can vary from person to person on the frequency. A person can be triggered into a decision after surviving a prior event.

“Mr. Reid entered a stun and flee phase where his intent was to not attack, but rather to stun.”

Solomon then asked River if Reid presented a danger to himself or others.

“There is a moderate risk of dangerous behavior in the future, but it’s not acute,” River said.

The doctor also said he felt Reid’s best chance at recovery would occur at a VA facility, rather than in state prison or DPPHS.

River also was concerned that Reid felt that he had received the maximum benefit from previous therapy and treatment and it was all on him to manage his diagnosis.

“In my experience, people benefit from ongoing treatment and to have contact with others, rather than isolate themselves,” River said.

Zwang asked the doctor if Reid had a level of unpredictable danger.

“Vets have a higher risk level, but he wasn’t exposed to abuse as a child, so that’s positive,” River said.

Solomon asked the doctor if Reid was still able to socialize.

“Yes he is. He also has a college degree and sought a post graduate degree. People with higher education are generally accepted as a lower risk.

During their recommendations for Reid’s disposition, Zwang said the attack on the woman was unprovoked, with a knife and bodily injury occurred.

“The court should conclude the defendant is a danger to others and we don’t what, when, where, who or why could be a trigger,” Zwang said.

Solomon sought to minimize the victim’s knife wound.

“It was not a stab wound, it was a 1.5 centimeter laceration that was 3/4 centimeters deep in the clavicle,” Solomon said. “Her treatment included two sutures and topical, antibiotic solution. And he’s not currently a danger to himself or others.”