KALISPELL – The sentencing hearing for a man who pleaded guilty to two counts of vehicular homicide has been postponed until March 18.
Daniel W. Resler, 32, has pleaded guilty to the charges for the March 2007 deaths of pedestrians Brad Williams, 19, of Somers and 16-year-old Kyle McCullugh of Kalispell. Tests showed Resler’s blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit, according to court records.
Resler’s sentencing had been scheduled for Tuesday, but was postponed because it conflicts with a separate trial being held at the county courthouse in Thompson Falls.
In exchange for his guilty plea, prosecutors are recommending Resler receive two 30-year prison sentences — each with 25 years suspended — to run concurrently.
He would be incarcerated for at least one year before becoming eligible for an intensive, six-month treatment program for felony DUI offenders at Montana State Hospital in Warm Springs.
The plea agreement drew criticism from the victim’s families, who have argued for a stiffer possible sentence.
District Judge Kim Christopher, however, is not obligated to observe the plea arrangement.