Court Beat
Author: mt43news reporter
Article Published: 07/31/2026 Volume: 5 Edition: 04MT43 News Staff Reporter
On July 24, District Judge Christopher Abbott presided over Broadwater County Court. Judge Abbott appeared remotely to hear ten criminal cases. Prosecuting attorneys were Kevin Bratcher and Haransh Sing along with defending attorneys Brent Flowers, Qasim Abdul-Baki and Richard Williamson.
Richard Anderson was charged with his 4th driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license and no vehicle registration. Since he did not appear for his pre-trail hearing, Judge Abbott set Anderson’s status hearing for August 7. If Anderson does not appear, the judge will issue a warrant for his arrest.
Grant Benson, charged with DUI, will have a change of plea hearing set for August 28. Benson did not appear in court.
Jamie Marie Buckley, charged with stealing a vehicle in September, 2024, is scheduled for a change of plea hearing set for August 21st. According to her attorney Adbul-Baki she needs to go to treatment for addiction. Her change of plea hearing is set for August 21st.
Timothy Denton, charged with possession of dangerous drugs- methamphetamine and child endangerment January 29, appeared for his pre-trial hearing. His attorney Brian Flowers asked that Denton be allowed to leave the state to move to Oklahoma. Judge Abbott amended the conditions of Denton’s bond, saying he could move to Oklahoma, but he must give the court his new address and be present for his pre-trail hearing December 17, 2026.
Rebecca Swanton is charged with 2 counts of possession of methamphetamine and 1 of child endangerment, January 29. Public Defender Richard Williamson said Swanton was having medical issues and would like to move to Oklahoma. Judge Abbott amended the conditions of Swanton’s bond but she must let the court know her new address and be present for her pre-trail December 17.
Bryan Hurni, charged with DUI and has 3 prior convictions in Lewis & Clark County. His pretrial hearing is set for December 17, 2026.
David Klinkenborg is charged with 1 count of assault with a deadly weapon and 2 counts of criminal endangerment when he endangered his neighbors by firing a weapon in the air after threatening his renter’s friend. His defense lawyer Abdul-Baki asked that Klinkenborg be allowed to move home since his alleged victims were no longer in the area. Judge Abbott agreed to allow Klinkenborg back to his residence and set his change of plea hearing for August 29, 2026.
James Magee did not appear in court for his probation violation hearing. He is charged with two counts of theft and criminal mischief. The charges centered around an unfinished roofing job in which he removed old roofing material, but never returned to replace the roof in June, 2021. Judge Abbott set Magee’s next hearing for August 28 at the Lewis & Clark Court House in Helena. If Magee does not appear, Abbott will issue a $50,000 warrant for his arrest.
Candy Stryker, charged with 2 counts of possession of dangerous drugs and paraphernalia, appeared in court on Zoom. Her defense attorney Richard Williamson, said she had changed her residence to another state. He asked for a motion to dismiss and a continuance. Judge Abbott issued a $25,000 warrant for her arrest.
Madison Michael pled not guilty in her initial appearance on charges of 1 count of DUI and 2 counts of child endangerment. On July 9 Michael was arrested on Highway 287 driving erratically with two children in the vehicle. Judge Abbott set her first omnibus hearing for September 4 to present all the facts in the case.
