Details Emerge in Health Clinic Vandalism Sentencing

Just hours before Zachary Klundt broke into and destroyed a Kalispell health clinic, a detective says the 25-year-old Columbia Falls man sent his mother a text message: “What is the abortionist’s name?”

Details about the night Klundt broke into All Families Healthcare and vandalized the Kalispell clinic in March 2014 emerged during a sentencing hearing that began in Flathead County District Court on Tuesday. The hearing, which went into recess late Tuesday, will continue Wednesday morning at 10 a.m.

The hearing comes two months after Klundt pleaded guilty to charges of burglary, criminal mischief and theft in a case that made regional headlines. All Families Healthcare was the only facility in the Flathead Valley that provided abortions.

For nearly three hours, Deputy County Attorney Stacy Boman presented witnesses who described how they had been impacted by Klundt’s actions. While Klundt’s attorney has argued that the young man was drunk and looking for drugs when he vandalized the clinic, the victim said she believes his actions were politically motivated. Klundt’s mother, Twyla Klundt, was on the board of Hope Pregnancy Ministries, a local Christian group that opposes abortion.

“Zachary Klundt destroyed my office because he and his family are against abortions,” said Susan Cahill, the proprietor and physician at the clinic, while testifying as a witness for the prosecution at the hearing. “Destroying someone’s property because of a difference in beliefs is called terrorism.”

The detective who led the Kalispell Police Department’s investigation into the vandalism also offered testimony that revealed details of the day Klundt destroyed the clinic. According to Capt. Scott Warnell, Klundt texted his mother on the afternoon of March 3 asking for information about where Cahill’s new office was located. Cahill moved out of her old office on Meridian Road in early 2014 when Michelle and Kent Reimer purchased the building and evicted her. Michelle Reimer works as the executive director of Hope Pregnancy Ministries, the anti-abortion group.

Warnell said investigators found the series of texts on Klundt’s phone after he was arrested on the evening of March 4 while trying to break into another business. Warnell also said that Klundt had taken a video of the destruction before leaving the clinic.

The court also heard testimony from Cahill’s patients, friends and family.

After that, prosecutors handed over the floor to defense attorney Peter Leander, who called witnesses to testify about how Klundt has struggled with drug addiction in the past and how he has changed dramatically since March 2013.

“He was a monster that night,” said Dr. Mark Elliot, Klundt’s cousin. “But Zach is not a monster. What happened that night was the result of a heavy mix of drugs and depression.”

Klundt will be back in court at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. According to court documents, prosecutors will recommend Klundt be sent to the Montana State Prison for 20 years, with 15 years suspended, for burglary. They also recommend he receive two 10-year suspended sentences for theft and criminal mischief to run concurrently.

The defense will recommend that minimum fines and fees be imposed so that Klundt can better pay restitution.