A Kalispell woman has admitted that she pulled a gun on two Rent-A-Center employees who were trying to repossess a recliner last summer.
Karren Schmiedeke pleaded guilty by reason of mental defect to criminal endangerment in Flathead County District Court on March 19.
According to court documents, two Rent-A-Center employees arrived at Schmiedeke’s home in Kalispell on July 31 to repossess furniture she had not paid for. While the two employees were inside a bedroom trying to determine if the recliner was the right one, Schmiedeke became upset and grabbed a gun and pointed it at the two men and another man in the home. She accused them of trying to steal her furniture.
When police officers arrived, they located a .22 caliber rifle in the bedroom where the recliner was located.
A mental health evaluation later found that Schmiedeke suffers from post traumatic stress disorder. During her change of plea hearing on March 19, Schmiedeke told Judge Heidi Ulbricht that she was scared and thought she was in danger when the Rent-A-Center employees arrived.
A plea agreement says that both the defense and prosecutors will recommend a five-year suspended sentence to the Montana State Hospital in Warm Springs. Schmiedeke’s sentencing has been scheduled for June 11.