Kalispell man pleads not guilty to robbery

George Anthony Magrath, 25, of Kalispell pleaded not guilty to felony robbery July 7 in Flathead County District Court.

Kalispell Police Department responded to a theft involving a firearm at a grocery store in Kalispell on June 16, according to court documents.

A store employee stated to police that Magrath and a woman allegedly failed to pay for food and drinks they were eating at the deli. As Magrath left the store reportedly without paying, two store employees asked him to come back inside to account for the items taken. Magrath then allegedly refused, tried to walk past employees and when an employee stepped in front of him, he said, “Don’t make me pull my gun,” lowering his hands toward his waist. A store employee told police he thought Magrath was reaching for a gun and he and other employees attempted to “gain control” of Magrath’s arms.

During the struggle, one of the employees allegedly received an injury to his left forearm. Once employees gained control of Magrath, an employee located a semi-automatic pistol with five rounds in its magazine tucked in the front of Magrath’s pants, according to court documents. Employees told police they were fearful Magrath would reach for and use his gun.

Magrath could face a penalty of two to 40 years and a maximum fine of $50,000. He could face an additional two to 10 years for using a firearm.

He currently has pending charges of assault with a weapon and tampering with evidence. He is being held on $75,000 bail at the Flathead County Detention Center on charges of robbery and criminal contempt.

Magrath also faces a felony assault with a weapon charge and felony tampering with or fabricating physical evidence charge. He has entered a not guilty plea with a jury trial set Aug. 8.

He is alleged to have “burst” into a roommate’s room and began punching him with brass knuckles as the pair wrestled on Nov. 18, 2015 according to court documents. A witness said Magrath was upset, believing the roommate had gone through his belongings. Law enforcement officers observed two cuts to the man’s forehead and a cut behind his ear. A witness saw the brass knuckles hit the floor and after the fight Magrath threw them onto the witness’ bed, asking her to hide them.

Magrath could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in Montana State Prison and a fine of $50,000 for felony assault with a weapon and a maximum 10-year term and fine of $50,000 for felony tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.

Hilary Matheson is a reporter for The Daily Inter Lake. She may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.