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Man Sentenced to 35 Years in State Hospital for Stabbing

By Beacon Staff

The California man who illegally entered a Kalispell family’s home and stabbed the homeowner in 2011 was sentenced to 35 years in the Montana State Hospital.

Dante Kirpal Kier, who was 19 at the time of the 2011 home invasion, had previously entered a plea of guilty by way of Alford but mentally ill to the charge of attempted mitigated deliberate homicide.

This plea means a defendant understands that he or she committed a crime, but did so under the influence of extreme mental or emotional stress for which there is a reasonable explanation or excuse.

On Dec. 12, 2011, Kier, of Santa Barbara, Calif., entered the Kalispell home of the Bay family. Brian Bay had gone outside to his garage to get a tool he needed while working on his dishwasher. When he came back inside, he found Kier inside the house.

Bay’s wife and children were home at the time, and Bay confronted Kier, who had a weapon in his hand, which turned out to be a wood-handled steak knife. The two began to fight, and in the scramble Kier stabbed Bay in the arm and mouth.

He also attempted to stab Bay in the chest repeatedly, and the knife was badly bent after the attack. Bay’s wife called 911 as he held Kier down and waited for law enforcement to arrive.

Bay received medical treatment for his wounds; his wife and children were not harmed.

In his multiple court appearances since the attack, Kier has appeared agitated and distracted. He’s received psychiatric care, and according to court record stold the judge during his sentencing that the treatment appears to be working and he feels regret and remorse for his actions in 2011.

Bay also testified during the sentencing, in support of the 35-year sentence.

According to the sentence, Kier is committed to the Montana State Hospital under the direction of the state Department of Public Health and Human Services. He was also ordered to pay $1,906 in restitution, which will be suspended until he has the ability to earn money and pay.

Should Kier’s sentence or location be altered, there would be a hearing before any changes occur.