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Photos: Creston Murder Trial

Robert Matthew Wittal, 29, was found guilty of deliberate homicide in the May death of Wade Allen Rautio. Wittal and three others, David Vincent Toman, 21, Christopher Michael Hansen, 28, and Melisa Ann Crone, 29, were all arrested in June following the discovery of Rautio’s body on Peters Ridge near Creston. Toman, Hansen, and Crone have all been charged with accountability to deliberate homicide. All four pleaded not guilty.

Greg Lindstrom
Robert Wittal reacts after a jury found him guilty of deliberate homicide in Flathead County District Court on Oct. 20, 2016. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Defense attorney Steve Scott shows the jury a knife during closing arguements in Flathead County District Court on Oct. 17, 2016. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Prosecutor John Donovan delivers closing arguments to the jury during the trial in Flathead County District Court on Oct. 20, 2016. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Robert Wittal's mother, sister and fiance react after a jury found Wittal guilty of deliberate homicide in Flathead County District Court on Oct. 20, 2016. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Deputy County Attorney Andrew Clegg, left, questions Robert Wittal during the trial in Flathead County District Court on Oct. 19, 2016. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
An emotional Robert Wittal gives testimony during his trial in Flathead County District Court on Oct. 19, 2016. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Defense attorney Steven Scott shows Christopher Hansen a knife that was allegedly used in the murder of Wade Rautio during Robert Wittal's trial in Flathead County District Court on Oct. 17, 2016. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Prosecutor Andrew Clegg, center, questions Bret Childers, detective with the Flathead County Sheriff's Department, during the trial of Robert Wittal in Flathead County District Court on Oct. 18, 2016. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Prosecutor John Donovan hands documents to Melisa Crone as she testifies during the trial of Robert Wittal in Flathead County District Court on Oct. 18, 2016. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
David Toman testifies in Flathead County District Court on Oct. 17, 2016. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Defense attorney Steven Scott, left, and his client Robert Wittal look over text message records during the trial in Flathead County District Court on Oct. 18, 2016. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Deputy County Attorney Andrew Clegg makes an opening statement as Robert Wittal appears on trial in Flathead County District Court on Oct. 17, 2016. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Judge Robert Allison listens to testimony during the trial for Robert Wittal in Flathead County District Court on Oct. 18, 2016. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Robert Wittal's mother, sister and fiance react after a jury found Wittal guilty of deliberate homicide in Flathead County District Court on Oct. 20, 2016. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
An emotional courtroom listens to the verdict in Flathead County District Court on Oct. 20, 2016. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Robert Wittal appears on trial in Flathead County District Court on Oct. 20, 2016. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon

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