Stabbing victim's father can make medical decisions

 A Kalispell judge has granted the father of a hospitalized Whitefish man the authority to make all medical decisions for his son, including removing him from life support.

Chad Newton has been hospitalized in intensive care in Kalispell since Nov. 25 when he was stabbed in the heart.

His wife, AnnMari Newton, has pleaded not guilty to felony assault with a weapon and is free after posting $25,000 bond early this week.

A neurologist testified at Friday’s guardianship hearing that the chance of Chad Newton making a meaningful recovery is zero, while another doctor said Newton’s condition has deteriorated and he is unable to breathe on his own.

After the hearing, District Judge Heidi Ulbricht granted Billey Newton the authority to make end-of-life decisions for his 37-year-old son.

During a Dec. 20 bond hearing for AnnMari Newton, a Whitefish neighbor and a friend from Alaska testified that Chad Newton was in a downward spiral of alcohol and anger issues, had previously injured his wife and had threatened to kill her and himself.

Bonnie Closson testified that police had been called to the Newton house twice recently and on one occasion, the couple’s son ran over to her house and said, “My dad is trying to kill my mother.”

Other revelations at that hearing included the presence of an adult witness to the crime who reportedly told law enforcement that AnnMari and Chad had each been armed with a knife before she stabbed him.

Deputy County Attorney Travis Ahner said a prosecution witness reported the couple had been involved in mutual fighting involving a significant amount of drinking, and the witness “saw AnnMari in a combative stance holding a knife.”

AnnMari Newton’s trial is currently set for April 28. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000.

Newton, a citizen of Sweden, had to turn over her passport as a condition of her release.