TF defendant changes plea

Appearing before Judge Deborah Kim Christopher on Tuesday, Chyene Lynn Baird changed her plea to three counts, pursuant to a plea agreement reached between the parties. Baird pleaded guilty to two felony counts of criminal child endangerment and a misdemeanor first offense of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Judge Christopher set the sentencing hearing for July 18, 2023.

Coming before the court for an adjudication hearing on a petition to revoke regarding Darin Gene McElmurry, the parties announced that a global resolution had been reached for both the revocation and a new case filed in 2023, the circumstances of which had caused the revocation. McElmurry pled guilty to a felony count of strangulation of a partner or family member, then made admissions to the report of violation filed in support of the revocation proceedings. Sentencing was set for July 18, 2023.

Braden J. Jones appeared for sentencing on a felony count of criminal mischief. Jones’s attorney, Kimberly Durham, informed the court that Jones has been doing very well in treatment. Judge Christopher commended Jones on the positive steps that he’s taken and expressed her hopes that he will continue on that path. Jones was sentenced to a two year deferred imposition of sentence, with all the conditions imposed as laid out in the plea agreement and presentence investigation report, including restitution of $1,945.68.

In a sentencing hearing held on May 24 before Judge Molly Owen, Bridgett Gail Taylor was sentenced to a five-year Department of Corrections commitment, with three years suspended and 135 days credit of time served, on a felony count of criminal possession of dangerous drugs. Taylor’s sentence will run concurrent to the sentence she received in a 2022 Missoula County case. Taylor was remanded to the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office for placement by the Department of Corrections.