Sword attack alleged over borrowed car

A Kalispell man is being held in Flathead County Detention Center after he allegedly held a sword to a neighbor’s throat last week. 

James Luther Smith, 57, has been charged with felony assault with a weapon. According to court documents, Flathead County Sheriff’s Office responded to an apartment complex off Montana 35 on Nov. 23, where a woman said that a neighbor had become upset with her and her husband about them borrowing a vehicle.

The husband allegedly went to Smith’s door and Smith answered with a sword in hand, before he pressed the sword against the husband’s neck. The husband allegedly pushed the sword away and struck Smith, causing the weapon to drop to the ground. The wife reportedly picked the sword up, and Smith allegedly attacked her by shoving her and scratching her neck.

The pair retreated to their apartment where they said they snapped a photo of Smith, who had apparently emerged from the complex parking lot with another sword in hand. Police observed injuries on the woman, and corroborated the married couple’s story through a third-party witness.

Deputies made contact with Smith, who was allegedly highly intoxicated and admitted to getting into an argument about the borrowed vehicle, but denied having a sword. Deputies noted that they allegedly found the sword behind Smith’s door.

The husband told deputies he was afraid for his life during the incident.

Smith is set to be arraigned on Dec. 15. His bail is set at $25,000.

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