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The defendant later admitted to taking Kjersem's guns, cooler,
cellphones and other belongings and concealing evidence.
Abbey was linked to the murder scene by DNA found on a beer can
inside the tent. He claimed the killing was in self-defense
after Kjersem threatened him. Authorities said there were
inconsistencies in his story, and pointed to multiple chop
wounds in the attack.
The victim’s girlfriend and another friend found his body and
reported it as a possible bear attack. It turned into a homicide
investigation after wildlife agents found no sign of a bear in
the area.
Kjersem had two children and worked as a self-employed
contractor, building homes and learning other trades, according
to his sister. Abbey told authorities that he arrived at the
campsite intending to stay the night and was welcomed by Kjersem,
who didn't know him, according to Gallatin County Sheriff Dan
Springer.
Following a six-day trial the jury found Abbey guilty on Monday
of deliberate homicide and tampering with evidence, court
records show. He did not testify during the trial.
Abbey's defense attorney, Sarah Kottke, said Wednesday that he
will decide whether to appeal after he’s sentenced on Dec. 30
before state District Judge Peter Ohman.
“This was a tough case and asserting an affirmative defense
comes with multiple hurdles, especially when it happens in such
a remote area with no witnesses to the events that took place,”
Kottke said in an email.
An inmate information document from Gallatin County last year
said the defendant listed an organizational affiliation with
white supremacists. State Department of Corrections records said
his tattoos included an iron cross with a swastika.
Deliberate homicide is a capital offense in Montana but
prosecutors will not seek the death penalty in the case, said
Jack Veil with the Gallatin County Attorney’s Office.
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