Man's throat was slashed in fight over best branch of military

BILLINGS (AP) — A 63-year-old Laurel man who faces a deliberate homicide charge for slashing another man’s throat told police they were arguing over which branch of the United States military was better, the Army or the Marines.

William Earl Cunningham was arrested early Sunday on suspicion of deliberate homicide in the death of 40-year-old Nathan Horn of Billings. Cunningham was jailed in Billings without bond pending an initial court appearance. Yellowstone County Attorney Scott Twito said he expects Cunningham to appear in court on Tuesday.

Officers responded to a 911 call late Saturday. Court records say Cunningham volunteered that he had cut Horn during an argument and pointed out the knife on a nearby table.

Charging documents say Horn had a cut on his right cheek and a deep cut on the left side of his neck.