Clinic vandal 'had issues'

Zachary Jordan Klundt was battling demons when he broke into a Kalispell health clinic last year and tore up the place.

Testimony in day two of sentencing proceedings highlighted the 25-year-old’s troubles with alcohol, medication and mental illness. The second day of the hearing was Wednesday morning in Flathead County District Court; the hearing is expected to conclude this afternoon.

Klundt has been convicted of felony burglary, theft and criminal mischief for the destruction of All Families Healthcare on March 4, 2014. It was the only clinic in the region that conducted first-trimester abortions.

On Wednesday, Klundt’s younger sister, Katie Aly, took the stand and spoke about her brother’s lifelong bouts with anxiety and Tourette syndrome. She noticed the symptoms when they were children.

“Zach had issues,” Aly said. “He would call my mom in a panic.”

She said Klundt got married when he was 18. When his wife became sick, Klundt started to abuse alcohol and prescription medication, according to his sister.

Later, while Klundt was in the Rimrock treatment center in Billings, Aly said that his wife left him. After that, Klundt had periods of sobriety but ultimately fell into addiction.

Aly said Klundt’s divorce was devastating for the family and affected Klundt deeply.

“He had no control, so he turned to drinking,” she said.

Aly also testified that she never saw any indicators of violence in her brother.

Klundt caused massive damage to the All Families Healthcare clinic.

Susan Cahill, the clinic owner who had been a physician’s assistant in Kalispell for nearly 40 years, has said that 95 percent of the property was lost to damage. She shuttered her business as a result.

While defense attorney Peter Leander has tried to portray the crime as an unplanned crime of intoxication, other evidence shows signs of malice.

Klundt stole patient files and poured iodine on the documents left at the office. He put holes in the faces of family photos with the claw of a hammer. He also filmed the damage with his cellphone, according to police testimony.

It was revealed on Tuesday that Klundt texted his mother on the evening before the break-in to ask where Cahill’s office was located.

During an interview with investigators after his arrest, Klundt initially denied causing the damage but admitted being on the scene.

“He stated he didn’t care about it,” Capt. Scott Warnell of the Kalispell Police Department said. “That he thought Susan Cahill was a murderer and what she did made him sad.”

Wednesday’s proceeding consisted of defense witnesses called by Leander, including Klundt’s sister.

Stillwater Christian School principal Dana Hashley tried to dismiss questions about religious motivation during his testimony.

“That night, he was intoxicated,” Hashley said. “And many of us, when we’re intoxicated, those core beliefs go away.”

Amid the testimony on Klundt’s past condition, defense witnesses also talked about Klundt’s current state. He claims that he has been sober 13 months, having attended 90 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in 90 days following his release from jail. He continues to seek help and support, according to various testimony.

Another defense witness, psychiatric consultant Dr. Kim Codiga, talked about the difficulty of ending an addiction to medication. It’s not common to have a clean break from those substances.

“It’s rather unusual,” Codiga said.

The defense is making the case that Klundt would be better served in ongoing treatment and monitoring outside of prison. Prosecutors have recommended a five-year prison sentence for Klundt.

Cahill also is requesting more than $600,000 in restitution from Klundt.

Sentencing will continue today at 1:30 p.m. When all of the witnesses have been heard, District Judge Ted O. Lympus is expected to render a sentence.

Reporter Matt Hudson may be reached at 758-4459 or by email at mhudson@dailyinterlake.com.