Arrest Made - Dustin Kjersem, 35, killed while camping, 911 caller thought bear attack, sheriff says murder, Oct. 12, 2024

[georgiajean]

Wasn't able to get a time, but apparently a bond hearing was reserved during last Tuesday's hearing. jmo

@georgiajean, any info from the county's site?

Next Hearing, "Omnibus Hearing" FullCourt Enterprise - Login
Feb 18, 2025 1:30 pm

 

[georgiajean]

Additionally, the Speedy Trial Date is June 16, 2025
Lead Attorney is Sarah Kottke

FullCourt Enterprise - Login

dcportal.pubcourts.mt.gov

 

[mickey2942]

He has the right to a trial, if he is claiming self defense, wouldn't he have to testify? And that would allow questions about his past criminal conduct. Or would the state have to "prove" that Dustin did not attack Abbey? I guess with character witnesses?

 

[Odeto BJ]

Dustin attacked and DA responded in self defense? Dustin was a strong, vigorous sort with multiple weapons, some in immediate reach inside a wall tent. If DK had attacked first, Abbey would have sustained some injuries, especially if the first consequential blow dealt by Abbey was with a piece of firewood. So all the injuries healed in just over a month to the point that the site of injury shows no witness marks?

I'm not sure who is going to buy into that story but if they do I need to meet them. Got a bridge I'd like to sell....

MOO

 

[arielilane]

He has the right to a trial, if he is claiming self defense, wouldn't he have to testify? And that would allow questions about his past criminal conduct. Or would the state have to "prove" that Dustin did not attack Abbey? I guess with character witnesses?

Typically, when a defendant claims self defense they will testify. Jmo

If he does testify, it will not go well for him, jmo

 

[arielilane]

-- An omnibus hearing is a pretrial hearing
-- Typically held after a defendant’s arraignment
-- The purpose is to determine the evidence, include testimony and any evidence seized at the time of the defendant’s arrest
-- Both counsels, prosecution and defense attend the hearing

Only an opinion

 

[mickey2942]

Typically, when a defendant claims self defense they will testify. Jmo

If he does testify, it will not go well for him, jmo

Either way, Gallatin County is still tight. We still consider it "Montana" no many how many folks have come from California. And most of them came to Montana because they were tired of crime. (Side note, Bozeman has the tightest laws of any city in Montana on dealing with chronic homelessness).

I don't see a trial going well for him at all, especially with all of his "Nazi" tats. Those don't go over well here.

 

[Knox]

Either way, Gallatin County is still tight. We still consider it "Montana" no many how many folks have come from California. And most of them came to Montana because they were tired of crime. (Side note, Bozeman has the tightest laws of any city in Montana on dealing with chronic homelessness).

I don't see a trial going well for him at all, especially with all of his "Nazi" tats. Those don't go over well here.

His tattoos are heinous, but jurors shouldn’t base their decision to convict on that. He’ll likely cover them up anyway.

Remember back at the start of this case, we wondered whether this was a random crime committed by a stranger? I really felt it would be someone who knew Dustin, that’s what makes this murder even more horrific. We can’t trust anyone it seems.

 

[RedHaus]

really felt it would be someone who knew Dustin, that’s what makes this murder even more horrific.

RSBM
And yet, I still wonder if there is a back story between DK and DA that only LE may be aware of (and DA). Perhaps they did know each other from their mutual construction business work, etc.? That might explain DK's supposed open door, apparently drinking with DA in his tent.

IMO

 

[RedHaus]

Dustin attacked and DA responded in self defense?

RSBM
And then we have this murder case on trial in FL with a similar tactic. A 66 yo homophobic man (that looks like an elder version of DA, ) claims self defense in his shooting of a gay man in a dog park. That defense appears weak, IMO!

 

[arielilane]

Either way, Gallatin County is still tight. We still consider it "Montana" no many how many folks have come from California. And most of them came to Montana because they were tired of crime. (Side note, Bozeman has the tightest laws of any city in Montana on dealing with chronic homelessness).

I don't see a trial going well for him at all, especially with all of his "Nazi" tats. Those don't go over well here.

Agreed. However, Ive notice for the past few years, things have changed in Bozeman. There are all types of campers parked in public areas, along side streets, near businesses, and people are living in these campers. Not a good look. It's sad to see. Supposedly, a new shelter for the homeless in 2025. Still gorgeous mountains. The west is the best.

Justice for Dustin Kjersem

 

[Knox]

Bumping for Dustin, no recent updates that I could find.

 

[Niner]

Bumping for Dustin, no recent updates that I could find.

Abbey has a omnibus hearing on 2/18/25 per my notes.

 

[mickey2942]

Bumping for Dustin, no recent updates that I could find.

I have been checking too. He just sits in the detention center. What a waste. He will no doubt be sentenced to 30 years or more if not LWOP at Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge.

 

[arielilane]

For those who may be interested, there is a 1:30 pm MT Omnibus (pretrial) hearing scheduled for tomorrow.

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, February 18th:
*Omnibus Hearing (@ 1:30pm MT) - MT - *Dustin Mitchell Kjersem (36) was last seen on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024 & was found dead in his tent on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024 along Moose Creek Road north of Big Sky, MT. - *Daren Christopher Abbey (41) arrested 10/24/24 (unrelated charges [parole violation]), charged (11/1/24) & arraigned (11/26/24) with deliberate homicide & 2 counts of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence. Originally bond denied. Bond set at $1.5M (11/1/24). Plead not guilty (11/26/24) Gallatin County
Speedy trial on 6/18/25.
Judge Peter B. Ohman presiding. DA C. Aarab. Defense attorney Sarah Kottke.
Case & Court info from 10/25/24 thru 11/1/24 reference post #499 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...heriff-says-murder-oct-12-2024.726290/page-25
11/15/24 Update: Re charging documents: Two shot glasses with residue believed to be Tequila were found. Multiple beer cans & bottles scattered around the site. Beer cans from inside the tent were used to collect DNA samples. Oct 25, the results on the DNA were returned. At the same time, tips had come in about a "skinhead dude" & they collected video evidence from Big Sky Resort. Images matched DA's driver's ID. The explanation of self defense that DA gave: DA says he & DK were hanging out inside the tent when DA's dog hopped on to DK's air mattress, leaving muddy paw prints. DA claims DK threatened that he was going to shoot him & kill his dog. DA says that's when he killed DK. Prosecutors say this story does not add up. Next initial appearance hearing on 11/26/24 @ 9am.
11/20/24 Docket update: Defendant's assertion of rights. C. Aarab's Notice of appearance & Discovery demand. 11/21/24 Docket update: OPD's Notice of assignment & request for discovery. 11/22/24 Docket update: Pretrial screening packet. Summons served on Daren Abbey.
11/25/24 Update: OPD's Notice of reassignment. Abbey pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. His bail continues at $1,500,000. The next omnibus hearing is set for 2/18/25 @ 1:30pm.

 

[Niner]

@georgiajean - any updates for next court hearing yet? TIA!

 

[georgiajean]

@georgiajean - any updates for next court hearing yet? TIA!

Omnibus Hearing next week, Feb 25, at 1:30 pm. No notes on the expected Omnibus this week, so perhaps it was delayed? Speedy Trial date June 16, 2025. FullCourt Enterprise - Login

 

[georgiajean]

Okay, the omnibus hearing did not occur it was vacated.

 

[Niner]

View attachment 565331
Omnibus Hearing next week, Feb 25, at 1:30 pm. No notes on the expected Omnibus this week, so perhaps it was delayed? Speedy Trial date June 16, 2025. FullCourt Enterprise - Login

Thanks a bunch! Much appreciated!