An Evergreen man is charged with mitigated deliberate homicide in the strangulation death of a neighbor earlier this week.
Flathead County officials filed the charges late Wednesday afternoon against Michael Cuchine, 35, in the death Steven Maycumber, 47.
According to court records, Cuchine said he and Maycumber were arguing in Maycumber’s yard Monday night when Maycumber struck him with an ax. Cuchine said he struck Maycumber once.
Prosecutors said the fight moved from Maycumber’s yard to the side of U.S. Highway 2, where Cuchine said he struck Maycumber in the face, knocking him to the ground. He said he then “lost it” and began choking Maycumber with his forearm while continuing to strike him with his other hand.
Witnesses were able to separate the two men. One checked Maycumber and could not find a pulse.
Court records say a state medical examiner determined that Maycumber died of strangulation.
Cuchine has been jailed since his arrest Monday night.