Assault suspect denied bond reduction

Flathead Valley resident is accused of beating a man March 22

Kirk Riddle, charged with severely beating another man after an argument in a bar March 22, asked District Judge Ted Lympus Thursday to reduce his $100,000 bond.

Defense attorney Tim Wenz asked for Riddle to be released on his own recognizance or, at most, be put on formal house arrest that requires constant monitoring.

Lympus denied the request. He said he agreed with District Judge Stewart Stadler who said the "unprovoked and serious attack" warranted such a high bond.

Riddle turned himself in on the warrant which was issued a week after the attack. He was returned to jail after his court appearance Thursday.

Riddle is accused of following his victim home after arguing at the Silver Bullet bar late that Thursday night, then beating him in the victim's driveway. The victim reportedly suffered a broken ankle, broken nose and multiple facial fractures. He was taken by ambulance to a hospital.

Riddle, his wife, Stephanie, and two children have lived in the Flathead Valley for about 14 or 15 months, he said.

The Washington native had moved to Montana in 2000 or 2001 with his first wife, then moved back to Washington in 2003 after they divorced and his second wife received a job promotion to Walla Walla. Stephanie Riddle later testified that they returned to Kalispell because they did not want to raise the boys, ages 11 and 19, in Walla Walla. Her parents also live here. Riddle and his wife are buying a mobile home.

Later, Deputy County Attorney Dan Guzynski used that history to point up the potential flight risk Riddle would pose if released.

Wenz highlighted Riddle's family commitments. Riddle's wife said she is having trouble keeping order at home without him there.

He also said that, without his tire-store salary, his wife and sons now must live on her $24,000 income. He said he learned Wednesday that his employer let him go, but said he can reapply as a new hire.

Wenz also went through Riddle's criminal history, which included numerous assault charges and other minor charges. A 2001 assault conviction resulted, he said, from an incident in which he defended his mother from an attack by her boyfriend.

In reference to the current assault charge, he told Wenz he "feel(s) pretty bad about it." He said he has no desire to contact the victim.

Guzynski used Riddle's history to point up a violent side, one that he said alcohol often played a part.

Riddle and his wife later both told Wenz that they would be willing to get rid of all alcohol in their house. She said the Thursday night out with his co-workers was an anomaly.

Guzynski recounted Riddle's concern that he is unable to work, but reminded him that the victim's injuries prevent him from working, as well, and he "has little prospect of going back very soon."

He asked Riddle if, during the argument and subsequent attack, he "kept calling "[the victim] a faggot." Riddle denied it.

Riddle had never met the victim before that night, Guzynski confirmed. Earlier, Riddle had testified that "it wasn't my intention for it to get that bad."

But because of Riddle's violent history, the suggestion that "the motive may be pure hatred, and the people involved didn't even know each other," Guzynski said it raised concerns even more.

Guzynski spoke on behalf of the victim, whom he said did not want to be at he hearing and feared the possibility of Riddle's release.

Riddle is scheduled to be arraigned in court Thursday, April 12.