Woman won't report to probation, give sample

A woman given a three-year deferred sentence in May 2014 for felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs never reported to probation and parole as required and further refused to provide a urine sample when sent out of the courtroom to do so last week.

Jessica Jeanne Cannady, 21, was up for possible revocation of the deferred sentence, but Deputy Flathead County Attorney Allison Howard wanted a sample to determine whether or not Cannady has been using drugs while she absconded from probation.

“I have some concerns about the fact that she has never reported to her probation officer the whole time she has been out of custody,” Howard said.

Cannady came to court dressed in a suit, did not speak during the proceedings and complied in the courtroom when she was asked to head downstairs to the jail to provide a sample.

But Cannady emerged with an empty cup.

Her attorney Greg Rapkoch said that Cannady could not provide a sample, but Howard disagreed.

“I don’t know how we are going to make her pee in a cup,” Howard told Flathead District Judge Robert Allison after Cannady was put on a 10-day hold in the Flathead County Detention Center. “I would like her tested. She’s going to have to go sooner or later.”

Howard said she did not think jail staff could legally prevent Cannady from using restroom facilities without providing a sample and Allison agreed, however, he did say, “As long as it can be humanely done, we should encourage her.”

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.