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A Montana man pleads not guilty and claims self-defense in the death of a man killed in a tent

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A Montana man pleads not guilty and claims self-defense in the death of a man killed in a tent


BOZEMAN, Mont. — A self-described white supremacist charged with killing a man in a tent in southwestern Montana has pleaded not guilty to deliberate homicide and claims self-defense, while investigators say there are inconsistencies in the defendant’s story.

Daren Christopher Abbey, 41, told District Court Judge Peter Ohman on Tuesday: “I definitely plead not guilty. Dustin Kjersem tried to kill me,” the Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported. He also pleaded not guilty to tampering with evidence.

Kjersem’s death in October was initially reported as a bear attack after his girlfriend found his body in a tent south of Bozeman near Big Sky on Oct. 12.

Investigators found shot glasses and beer cans in the tent that suggested someone else had been with Kjersem on Oct. 10. DNA tests on a beer can matched two people in the state’s criminal database, Daren Abbey and someone believed to be Abbey’s twin brother, court records say. The brother was ruled out because he was serving a prison sentence.

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Abbey told investigators that Kjersem, 35, threatened him and his dog with a gun and he attacked Kjersem, first with a block of wood and then by stabbing him in the neck with a screwdriver. Abbey initially failed to tell investigators he used an axe in the attack as well, court records say. He also told officers he found the axe both inside and outside the tent. He told officers he rinsed the axe and screwdriver off in the creek, court records say.

Abbey said he did not report the fight because he had a felony record. He acknowledged taking a cooler of beer and guns from the crime scene and then returning the next day to look for a beanie he believed he might have left there. He told investigators he also took two cellphones and items out of Kjersem’s truck, charging documents say.

An inmate information document released by Gallatin County says Abbey listed an organizational affiliation with white supremacists, while state Department of Corrections records say his tattoos include an iron cross with a swastika.

Abbey is jailed with his bail set at $1.5 million.



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Montana Lottery Powerball, Lotto America results for March 30, 2026

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The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 30, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 30 drawing

07-11-31-41-57, Powerball: 20, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Lotto America numbers from March 30 drawing

01-21-44-47-48, Star Ball: 04, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from March 30 drawing

09-12-19-24, Bonus: 03

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from March 30 drawing

07-29-42-67-68, Powerball: 08

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Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 30 drawing

24-25-32-34-44, Bonus: 04

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
  • Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
  • Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
  • Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Montana SupCo agrees media coalition can make case for accessing trial documents • Daily Montanan

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Montana SupCo agrees media coalition can make case for accessing trial documents • Daily Montanan


A coalition of Montana press outlets will be allowed to make its argument for unsealing court documents in the trial of a man’s alleged killing of four Anaconda residents last summer, following an order from the Montana Supreme Court. 

The order, handed down last week by Chief Justice Cory Swanson and signed by four other justices, reverses a district court order that had denied the press’ request to take part in the lawsuit to bring the sealed records into public view. 

“The record reflects that the District Court entered the modified sealing order without participation by the media; without an evidentiary hearing; and without specific findings addressing the statutory requirements,” the order states. “We conclude the District Court proceeded under a mistake of law.”

On Aug. 1, Michael Brown walked into the Owl Bar in Anaconda and opened fire, killing four people before fleeing the scene, according to law enforcement. Federal, state and local law enforcement captured Brown following a week-long manhunt

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Prior to Brown’s apprehension, District Court Judge Jeffrey Dahood sealed all legal documents in the court case, at the request of Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Attorney Morgan Smith, a move considered unusual by legal experts. 

Dahood unsealed some of the documents on Aug. 29 following a move to modify the sealing order by the state and defendant, but certain pretrial proceedings and records remain inaccessible to the public and the media. 

A group of media organizations sought to become part of the case in a limited capacity, asking the court to vacate its August order, which modified which records remained sealed, arguing that the order violates Montana law and “fails to balance the public and Press’s constitutional right to examine public documents,” but Dahood denied the request

The coalition of media organizations comprises The Daily Montanan, Montana Free Press, The Montana Newspaper Association, Montana Broadcasters Association, Lee Enterprises, Inc., which owns and operates five of the state’s largest print newspapers, and the Montana Freedom of Information Coalition. 

Swanson wrote in his March 24 order that Montana’s constitution balances the requirement of the public’s right to know and a defendant’s right to a fair trial, but there are procedures and precedents that must be followed to determine the correct balance. 

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One mandatory procedure before records may be sealed is that “the media must be afforded an opportunity to be heard,” according to the court order. 

“The District Court’s refusal to allow (the Press) to be heard directly conflicts with this controlling precedent,” Swanson wrote. 

Swanson also adds the media coalition submitted a motion to appear, which the clerk of court did not add to the public court record, instead transmitting it directly to the district court, which subsequently denied it. 

“The failure to docket (the Press’) motion — despite its submission with the required filing fee — resulted in a judicial ruling on a matter not entered into the public record,” Swanson wrote. “This procedure is inconsistent with Montana law.”

While the order will allow the coalition of press to make their case for unsealing the court documents, the high court did not immediately vacate the modified sealing order, “noting that certain sealed materials may implicate the defendant’s right to a fair trial.” 

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The matter is remanded back to the district court for an evidentiary hearing and entry of appropriate findings, with the media organizations allowed to argue to unseal the records. 

Editor’s Note: The Daily Montanan is a part of the media coalition to enter the case.



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Nearly 1,000 customers without power in Western Montana

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Nearly 1,000 customers without power in Western Montana


Nearly 1,000 customers are without power in Western Montana on Monday morning.

As of 6:15 a.m., Mission Valley Power’s outage map shows 984 customers without power in the Swan Lake area. The outage began at 5:30 a.m. The cause is listed as unknown.

There is no estimated restoration time listed.



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