Man pleads guilty to brutal beating

A 20-year-old Kalispell man pleaded guilty May 3 in Flathead District Court to aggravated assault after a brutal attack on another man in August 2010.

Following the attack, Timothy Pickett told police that a man had been laughing at him and making fun of him, so Pickett walked up to the man and punched him in the face three times. He said he knew he must have messed the victim up and suggested he “must have soft bones.”

The victim was transported to the hospital, where it was determined  the side of his face was caved in and he would need reconstructive surgery.

The case previously was dismissed under a deferred prosecution agreement between Pickett, the victim and the Flathead County Attorney’s Office, but was refiled after Pickett failed to comply with the conditions of the agreement.

In addition to the felony aggravated assault charge, Pickett pleaded guilty to a felony charge of criminal mischief in connection with a 2011 incident, in which he and two others used a shovel and a sledgehammer to cause nearly $10,000 worth of damage to another person’s vehicle.

Picket now faces up to 30 years in jail, a fine of up to $100,000 and possible restitution.

His sentencing is scheduled for June 7.