GUILTY MT - Dustin Kjersem, 35, killed while camping, 911 caller thought bear attack, sheriff says murder, Oct. 12, 2024 *arrest*

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  • #601
  • #602
RedHaus said:
FANTASTIC NEWS!!

Justice for Dustin. :D
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This case was particularly satisfying. The police found the suspect in a rapid manner. He was immediately incarcerated. And the trial was done in a timely manner. Little over a year. That is amazing.

I don't see any potential for rehabilitation here. It wouldn't surprise me if Abbey gets LWOP. But that doesn't bring Dustin back. And it destroys a piece of Montana. The woods just aren't safe.
 
  • #603
mickey2942 said:
This case was particularly satisfying. The police found the suspect in a rapid manner. He was immediately incarcerated. And the trial was done in a timely manner. Little over a year. That is amazing.

I don't see any potential for rehabilitation here. It wouldn't surprise me if Abbey gets LWOP. But that doesn't bring Dustin back. And it destroys a piece of Montana. The woods just aren't safe.
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Yeah, and Abbey gets to back home to the pen to see all his old friends.

And Dustin was just trying to be hospitable.
 
  • #604
I have to agree - this was a very quick case! Glad to hear he was found guilty!! Unfortunately, I couldn't read the articles you all posted.... not available over here.... :(
 
  • #605
  • #606
A huge thank you to the jury, they got it absolutely right. Though I never doubted the jury. 😊
Cleaning up trash and putting it behind bars.

BOZEMAN (Scripps News Bozeman) — A jury has convicted Daren Christopher Abbey on charges of deliberate homicide and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence in the killing of Dustin Kjersem.

www.courttv.com

Man convicted in brutal murder at Montana campsite

Prosecutors accused Daren Abbey of murdering Dustin Kjersem in October 2024 at a Moose Creek campsite near Big Sky.
www.courttv.com www.courttv.com
 
  • #607
arielilane said:
A huge thank you to the jury, they got it absolutely right. Though I never doubted the jury. 😊
Cleaning up trash and putting it behind bars.

BOZEMAN (Scripps News Bozeman) — A jury has convicted Daren Christopher Abbey on charges of deliberate homicide and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence in the killing of Dustin Kjersem.

www.courttv.com

Man convicted in brutal murder at Montana campsite

Prosecutors accused Daren Abbey of murdering Dustin Kjersem in October 2024 at a Moose Creek campsite near Big Sky.
www.courttv.com www.courttv.com
Click to expand...

I think that he should have tried to work some sort of plea deal. But maybe nothing was offered.

The brutality of the murder was overkill. It didn't seem to be "self defense", as Abbey had no defensive wounds on him at the time of arrest.

This was fast work by LEO.
 
  • #608
I doubt Abbey was offered a plea deal. He had very little to offer on his side. And nothing but first degree murder would have satisfied Dustin’s family, friends, and an angry and frightened public. A lot of Montana locals recreate in National Forest and take their children fishing, hunting, hiking. It was terrifying to think someone could come into a campsite and murder them in their beds. Which is probably why the lack of news coverage tbh.
 
  • #609
Tuesday, Dec. 30th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 9am 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/now 42) 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 began on 11/3/25 with jury selection & ended 11/3/25.
Trial began on 11/4/25 & ended on 11/10/25 with closing arguments.
Jurors deliberated for 3½ hours – Verdict: Guilty of all charges. Sentencing on 12/30/25.
18th Judicial District Court Judge Peter B. Ohman presiding. DA Daniel Guzynski. Defense attorney Sarah Kottke.
Case & Court info from 10/25/24 thru 10/21/286 Jury Selection (11/3/25) & Trial Days 1-4 (11/4-7/25) reference post #598 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...heriff-says-murder-oct-12-2024.726290/page-30
11/10/25 Monday, Trial Day 5: Closing arguments by DA Daniel Guzynski & defense attorney Sarah Kottke. Jury received instructions & began deliberation. After deliberating for 3½ hours Monday, Gallatin County jurors found Abbey guilty on charges of deliberate homicide & two counts of felony evidence tampering. A two-hour sentencing hearing was set on 12/30/25 @ 1:30pm.
 
  • #610
Tried to find out "what" his sentence is - and only coming up with articles from Nov. when he was found guilty. Did they change the sentencing date?

TIA if anyone can help! :)
 
  • #611
  • #612
  • #613
Niner said:
I get a blank page with that link. So sentencing was moved to 2/3/26 I take it? TIA! :)
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Yes, it has been moved. The link worked for me once I changed the county and did a search with the defendant’s name. There is a login button, but I didn’t need to log on to access the site.

Happy new year!
 
  • #614
Parsnip said:
Yes, it has been moved. The link worked for me once I changed the county and did a search with the defendant’s name. There is a login button, but I didn’t need to log on to access the site.

Happy new year!
Click to expand...

Okay - thanks! And a Happy new year to you too! :D
 
  • #615
I am pretty sure it will be LWOP. There is zero potential for rehabilitation here.
 
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