Man with deadly criminal history given probation for burglary
Flathead District Court Judge David Ortley gave a Kalispell man with a long, deadly history of felony crimes a probationary sentence for a felony burglary on Dec. 15, over recommendations of a prosecutor to send him to prison.
Matthew Scott Walden, 45, was sentenced to 10 years in Montana State Prison, with all 10 years suspended.
Prosecutor John Donovan had recommended that Walden be sentenced to 10 years in Montana State Prison, with five years suspended. Donovan pointed out that the burglary charge resulted after the property owner of a Whitefish home fired a shot at Walden and his cousin Tyler Wigner after a bow and a pellet gun had been taken by the pair from the residence. Sheriff’s deputies took the two into custody at gunpoint, according to Donovan. As a felon, Walden is not allowed to possess firearms of any type.
Walden clarified through testimony that he went to the property at Wigner’s urging and thought that the residence was an abandoned building, not a home.
“Tyler said the doors had already been kicked in,” Walden said. “In hindsight there’s a trespassing issue. I didn’t think of it in terms of trespassing, but I guess I did trespass.”
Donovan said he wanted a stiff sentence for Walden because of his long history with law enforcement. Walden was sent to Pine Hills Correction facility as a teen, then committed a felony burglary in Flathead County in 1990, Donovan pointed out. While awaiting sentencing on the burglary, he was then caught distributing drugs, and was sentenced to 14 years in prison, Donovan said. During that time, Walden escaped, Donovan said, and racked up three more felonies. That tally included an incident in which Walden was in a pursuit with police, wrecked his vehicle, killed his brother who was a passenger and another motorist in a different vehicle.
Walden was released from a 20-year prison sentence in that case in 2015. In that short time, Walden was subsequently charged with the new burglary.
“It’s chilling that Mr. Walden doesn’t take responsibility,” Donovan told the judge. “Mr. Walden hasn’t learned any lessons. He continues to make horrible decisions that put himself and other people at risk.”
But several individuals testified that Walden is trustworthy and has employment opportunities in the valley.
Friend Sassy Gordon testified that she believes Walden is dependable and can be supervised in the community. When Donovan pointed out Walden’s former fatal crime, Gordon said she believes that Walden has changed.
“I’m not the same person I was in 1992, and you probably are not, and I’m reasonably certain Scott isn’t either,” Gordon said.
Walden’s mother Lorraine Wigner testified that she has been ill and never thought she would see her son released from prison. Now, he helps care for her.
“Everybody wants to use the past to condemn someone now without all facts,” Wigner said.
“We know a different Scott than he was years ago.”
Walden also testified that he had changed over the years.
“My past is really bad,” Walden said. “I don’t argue that. I’ve made some horrible decisions and I regret everyday. I lost my big brother.”
Ortley noted that he was not punishing Walden for his prior misconduct.
“I’m not here to punish you for your past. You’ve for the large part, paid for your offense. Twenty years in prison is a long time.”
However, Ortley noted that Walden had continued to show disregard for the rules by admitting to alcohol use while out on bond for this case, which is prohibited.
“For anyone to paint you as this law-abiding person who would not do anything is absolute nonsense,” Ortley said.
Ortley told Walden that there would not be room for mess ups while he was on felony probation, as this time around he will likely go straight to the Montana State Prison.
Ortley also imposed community service in the case.
Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.