Evergreen man dies in street fight

An Evergreen man was arrested late Monday in connection with the death of his neighbor.

Investigators suspect Michael Gerald Cuchine, 35, strangled 47-year-old Steven Guy Maycumber after an ongoing dispute escalated into violence, Flathead County Sheriff Mike Meehan said.

Cuchine is being held in the Flathead County Detention Center pending charges from the County Attorney's Office, which are expected today.

Deputies responded to reports of a fight in front of a home on U.S. 2 at 9:03 p.m. Monday, Meehan said. When deputies arrived, emergency personnel from the Kalispell and Evergreen fire departments were trying to resuscitate Maycumber, who died at the scene.

Maycumber's body was taken to Kalispell Regional Medical Center and then to the state crime lab in Missoula, where an autopsy was performed Tuesday, said Meehan.

Maycumber suffered several cuts, bruises, and some trauma in the fight, but strangulation was ruled the cause of death.

After the fight, Cuchine returned to his nearby residence - a trailer behind Maycumber's next-door neighbor's house. Witnesses identified Cuchine and told deputies where he lived. He was arrested without incident.

Cuchine reportedly told a family member the argument began when he approached Maycumber about an ongoing disagreement Maycumber was having with a third neighbor over their dogs and their children, who he believed damaged his fence.

As the argument escalated, Maycumber attacked Cuchine with an ax, according to the family member. The killing was in self-defense, she said.

The fight, which took place in front of Maycumber's residence on the shoulder of U.S. 2 just north of Evergreen Drive, initially was reported via cell phone by a passing motorist, Meehan said. That motorist has yet to be located.

On Tuesday, sheriff's detectives obtained a warrant and searched the yard and garage of Maycumber's home for additional evidence.

Investigators are looking for additional witnesses, Meehan said. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Flathead County Sheriff's detectives at 758-5600.

Reporter Nicholas Ledden can be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at nledden@dailyinterlake.com