Kalispell man denies involvement in Evergreen murder

The Kalispell man charged with the April murder of Anthony Andrew Walthers has denied pushing him off the Old Steel Bridge to his death in the Flathead River.

Cecil Thomas Rice, 26, pleaded not guilty to deliberate homicide June 1 before Flathead District Court Judge Dan Wilson.

According to court documents and witness statements, Rice was seen fleeing the scene with two other people on the night of April 26 after witnesses claim to have seen Walthers go over the bridge and into the river below.

Walthers was reportedly heard yelling for help from the water.

One witness said he followed Walthers as he was swept down river in “obvious distress” before his head slipped beneath the surface.

Rice allegedly drove a maroon minivan with two passengers away from the bridge before one passenger, identified as Heather Joy Meeker, 25, allegedly threw Walthers belongings out of the van.

Walthers’ backpack was later found at a local Episcopal church with his ID inside.

Meeker was charged with evidence tampering and entered a not guilty plea May 25.

The third individual who was seen leaving the bridge with Meeker and Rice spoke with Flathead Sheriff’s deputies the day after the incident, stating he had been with them when Walthers went over. He said Meeker had gotten angry at Rice for pushing him.

Court records state that during an interview with law enforcement, Rice allegedly told officers that Walthers had made inappropriate comments about Meeker, Rice’s girlfriend, before he was allegedly pushed from the bridge.

In a separate interview, Meeker allegedly corroborated the story, telling authorities that she had seen Rice push Walthers off the bridge.

Authorities recovered Walthers body Monday evening after boaters discovered it in Flathead Lake, approximately 1.5 miles from the mouth of the Flathead River.

A jury trial has been set for Rice’s case for Nov. 27.

If convicted, Rice could face up to life in prison.