Man sentenced for stabbing

A Kalispell man convicted of stabbing another man in a bar fight has been sentenced to 10 years in state prison (20 years with 10 years suspended).

During his sentencing hearing Thursday in Flathead County District Court, Roderick Charles Anagal, 38, also was ordered to pay more than $19,000 in restitution to the 24-year-old man he stabbed six times during the April altercation.

Anagal, who initially was charged with attempted deliberate homicide, pleaded guilty in October to the reduced charge of assault with a weapon. Aggravated assault charges were dismissed pursuant to a plea agreement.

"I just wanted to express how sorry I am and how much remorse I have for the victim… and his family," Anagal told Judge Stewart E. Stadler. "I have no excuses for my actions."

According to court documents, the stabbing occurred April 10 at Cattlemen's Bar and Casino, just before it closed for the night. About half a dozen people were playing pool when Anagal and the victim allegedly got into a fight over comments made to or about a woman in the bar, investigators said.

Several witnesses said they saw the suspect punching the victim and only later discovered Anagal had a small folding knife in his hand.

The victim, who remained alert and conscious, was able to fight free and approach the serving area, where he was treated by an off-duty EMT and military medic until emergency personnel responded.

He later was taken to Kalispell Regional Medical Center with wounds on his neck, shoulder, head and arm - some of which have left him permanently disabled.

Anagal reportedly tried to continue the attack but was restrained by other patrons in the bar, according to court papers.

"But for the patrons at Cattlemen's who prevented you from chasing after [the victim], you'd probably be spending the rest of your life in prison," Stadler told Anagal.

When officers arrived, Anagal was waiting outside the bar on his knees with his hands behind his head.

Defense attorney Glen M. Neier called four people to the stand, all of whom testified to Anagal's compassion and spirituality.

"I don't know what triggered Rod's reactions… I believe there must have been extenuating circumstances," said Leah Lambert, who knew Anagal from a metaphysical retreat in Arizona.

Another woman told the court Anagal's actions the night of the stabbing were 'very much" out of character.

Rev. Yvonne Cottrell ministered to Anagal while he was in jail.

"I have experienced a man who has not only been deeply affected by what he did, but he looks at his responsibility for it, his accountability for it," Cottrell said.

Despite the testimony, County Attorney Ed Corrigan - who called no witnesses - asked Stadler to impose the sentence agreed upon in the plea deal.

"What I found lacking [in their testimony] was… discussion about what this meant to the victim," Corrigan said.

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