Judge allows couple to resume contact

A man and woman, separated by Flathead District Court Judge Amy Eddy after being charged with felony criminal endangerment, both pleaded down to misdemeanors on Feb. 9, and were allowed to resume contact.

Joslynn Walker, 25, who allegedly fired several .40 caliber rounds into her boyfriend’s car in a domestic dispute, pleaded guilty to partner/family member assault, a misdemeanor. Walker was sentenced to one year with the Flathead County Department of Corrections with all time suspended and a special requirement of 40 hours of anger management treatment.

Walker’s boyfriend, Gary Schaeffer, allegedly rammed Walker’s car with his own on their way home from a bar in Hungry Horse and pleaded guilty to reckless driving, a misdemeanor. Schaeffer was sentenced to 90 days with the Department of Corrections with all time suspended.

In addition to reduced charges, the no-contact order was also not reimplemented, and the couple is now free to resume contact.

Eddy said of her decision, “I’m not imposing any restraints, but I would be very disappointed to hear you violated the terms.”

Both parties are currently attending counseling and are still together, despite that evening’s events.

Reporter Mary Cloud Taylor can be reached at 758-4459 or mtaylor@dailyinterlake.com.