fbpx

Suspect in Evergreen Stabbing Held on Assault Charge

By Beacon Staff

The 28-year-old Kalispell man accused of stabbing another Kalispell man on Feb. 7 has been identified as Kyle Wesley Puckett.

As of Feb. 10, the Flathead County Attorney’s Office had yet to file official charges against Puckett, but he was jailed on suspicion of aggravated assault and assault with a weapon.

Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry identified Puckett as the suspect in the stabbing case, which took place in Evergreen. The victim, who was still in critical condition on Feb. 10, was stabbed multiple times outside a South Cedar Drive residence at about 6 p.m.

The victim underwent emergency surgery at Kalispell Regional Medical Center after being transported by emergency personnel. He has not been identified.

Curry said his office hasn’t released many details about the situation, other than the men were allegedly in an argument preceding the stabbing.

In 2013, Puckett was arrested and charged with felony operation of an unlawful clandestine laboratory after fire crews, while responding to a structure fire on April 14, found ingredients for making meth in a room Puckett was renting.

The charge against Puckett was eventually amended to one count of criminal possession of precursors to dangerous drugs, a felony, and one count of criminal possession of dangerous drugs, also a felony.

The precursors to the dangerous drugs charge means being in possession of compounds, materials, mixtures or preparations with the intent to make drugs, such as meth.

As per a plea agreement with prosecutors, the drug possession charge was dropped in exchange for an Alford plea to the possession of precursors to dangerous drugs charge.

An Alford plea means the individual does not admit to the act, but acknowledges that the prosecution has enough evidence to convict.

Puckett changed his plea on Nov. 7, 2013, and the court dismissed the drug possession charge.

The prosecution in this case agreed to recommend an eight-year suspended sentence to the Department of Corrections; Puckett was scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 19.

While awaiting sentencing, Puckett was released on his own recognizance, and was subject to various conditions of release.