Montana
Montana man charged with homicide admitted into state psychiatric hospital after year-long wait
BILLINGS— A Montana man charged with deliberate homicide was admitted into Montana State Hospital for psychiatric help after waiting more than a year.
Terrell Lee Spottedwolf Sr. was accused of murdering 48-year-old Susan LaForge in 2023.
Watch to see why Spottedwolf was waitlisted:
Montana man charged with homicide admitted into state psychiatric hospital after year-long wait
Yellowstone County District Judge Colette Davies ruled in October 2024 that Spottedwolf was mentally unfit for trial, requiring him to receive psychiatric care.
His defense attorney, Joe Zavatsky, confirmed Wednesday that this client had been moved from Yellowstone County jail to the state hospital. Zavatsky told MTN News jail officials did not specify when Spottedwolf was moved.
“It completely deteriorates the idea of due process for a person to sit waiting for months and months to a year waiting to get to a state hospital,” Zavatsky said.
The case underscores Montana’s problems with finding appropriate care and bed space for people with mental-health problems who are accused of crimes. Currently, the only option for treatment is Montana State Hospital in Warm Springs, although Gov. Greg Gianforte said Wednesday that the state must move forward on building a new $26 million eastern Montana mental-health facility, which, ideally, could house suspects like Spottedwolf.
Justin McKinsey
“It just pauses everything. It allows witnesses to go cold. It has impacts on how a case is developed,” said Zavatsky.
The attorney said admission into the hospital may allow Spottedwolf to go forward with the trial in the future.
MTN News reached out to a family member of the victim but did not receive a response.
Watch Q2 previous coverage of family remembering Susan LaForge:
‘Taking it day by day’: Family of woman found deceased in suitcase speaks, reflects on two losses in February
Family identifies Billings homicide victim
Body of woman murdered in Billings found in suitcase by teenage son
‘Day by day’: Family of Billings woman found dead in suitcase reflects on two losses in one month
Montana
Half a million absentee ballots sent to Montana voters for primary election • Daily Montanan
Ballots for Montana’s June 2 primary began to hit voters’ mailboxes this weekend.
According to the Secretary of State’s website, 509,399 absentee ballots were mailed to voters. As of Monday morning, 358 voters had already returned their ballots.
“Montana’s 2026 Primary Election is well underway, and the Montana Election Team is honored to serve our voters,” Secretary of state Christi Jacobsen said in a press release. “As a reminder, Montanans can view their sample ballot, track their absentee ballot, confirm their voter registration information, and much more at VoteMT.gov.”
Voted ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, June 2nd.
The Montana Election Team reminds absentee voters to sign, date, and add their birth year when returning their absentee ballot. County election officials provide instructions in the ballot packet, and more information is also available online at https://votemt.gov/absentee-ballot/.
The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 10, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from May 10 drawing
06-22-28-31, Bonus: 08
Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 10 drawing
01-03-20-35-46, Bonus: 05
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.
The Socorro Independent School District honored and celebrated its top two educators at the 2026 Teacher of the Year Gala on Friday, May 8 at the El Paso Convention Center.
Cristina Garcia, a fifth-grade teacher at Mission Ridge Elementary School, was recognized as the 2026 SISD Elementary Teacher of the Year. Javier Esparza, an audio and video broadcast teacher at Socorro High School, was named the 2026 SISD Secondary Teacher of the Year.
https://www.ktsm.com/news/socorro-isd-honors-top-2-teachers-at-gala-celebration/
-
Sports3 minutes agoHigh school boys volleyball: City Section playoff scores and pairings
-
World15 minutes agoBolivia issues warrant for Evo Morales’s arrest after court no-show
-
News45 minutes agoWhy cruise ship passengers with possible hantavirus exposure went to Nebraska
-
New York2 hours agoAirbnb Turns to Black Leaders in Its Bid to Make a Comeback in New York
-
Detroit, MI3 hours agoMetro Detroit braces for Frost Advisory, Freeze Warning overnight before rain arrives
-
San Francisco, CA3 hours ago50 Beagles Rescued From Wisconsin Lab Arrive in Bay Area, SF Activist Faces Felony Charges
-
Dallas, TX3 hours ago
Former Cowboys QB Craig Morton passes away at age 83
-
Miami, FL3 hours agoBrickell Avenue Bridge openings spark rush hour gridlock concerns in downtown Miami
