Kalispell man pleads innocent in stabbing

A 43-year-old Kalispell man pleaded not guilty April 26 in Flathead District Court to a felony charge of assault with a weapon.

According to court documents, Christopher Bogardus was in the back seat of a vehicle driven by one friend while sitting next to another friend.

Bogardus allegedly got in an argument with the man sitting next to him, pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the leg.

While the two reportedly fought over the knife, the driver got it away from them and hid it. He then dropped the injured man off at the hospital, called police and took Bogardus to the Kalispell Police Department.

Bogardus allegedly was “visibly intoxicated,” according to charging documents,

If convicted, Bogardus faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. His next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 29.