Billings, Montana: No Felony Charges in Senior High Teacher Stabbing as Rallies Back the School

Students, teachers and community members gathered outside Billings Senior High and at the Yellowstone County Courthouse in Billings, Montana, on Monday, days after the Yellowstone County Attorney's Office declined to file felony charges in the stabbing of a Senior High teacher in January. The case has been referred to the Billings City Attorney's Office for review of possible misdemeanor charges, Northern Broadcasting reported on October 27.

A nine month investigation ends

The stabbing happened after school on January 13 at Senior High and involved a teacher and a student. Billings Public Schools Superintendent Erwin Garcia said the Billings Police Department and the County Attorney's Office have completed their nine month investigation, and that no felony criminal charges will be brought. Garcia said he learned of the outcome through a media outlet, and he wrote that he is frustrated. The absence of formal felony charges, he wrote, does not provide "the clear resolution our community needs."

Garcia said the district reported the incident to police at once and cooperated fully with investigators while respecting the privacy of the people involved. Counselors and the district Crisis Team supported teachers and students in the aftermath. The student has met graduation requirements and is no longer a student in the district, Garcia said. The teacher was placed on paid administrative leave when the report was made, as Montana law requires, and remains on leave.

What the rallies asked for

The courthouse gathering on Monday was the second of two events that day, after an earlier crowd gathered outside Senior High. Senior High student Ivy Runsabove said she came to support the teachers who help make the school whole. "I hope justice, peace and safety, and it all kind of ties in together. I just want like Senior to be a whole again," Runsabove said. Fellow student Miri Brien said she hoped the gathering could help bring about a different outcome in the case.

Senior High math teacher Jennifer Hudson said the gathering also aimed at school safety and mental health resources beyond this case, and she pointed to support for a school safety levy or mental health services. Billings Education Association President Lance Edward described the gatherings as peaceful informational pickets for Senior High, school safety and due process. Billings Mayor Mike Nelson stopped by the courthouse rally and urged patience with the process. "You gotta let the process work out and I'm pretty sure it will," Nelson said.

What happens next

With the police and county work complete, Garcia said the district will complete its own investigation, using any information it can access, including criminal justice information, and will ask the court to grant that access as quickly as possible. Senior High has already changed its routines since January: the school has reduced the number of accessible entrances during the school day, police officers have been given access cards so they can respond quickly, radio communication systems have been enhanced, and the district has applied for grants to improve visual notification systems. The city attorney review will decide whether any misdemeanor case follows.