Man changes plea in C-Falls stabbing

A Kalispell man accused of stabbing another man 12 times at a Columbia Falls party changed his plea to guilty last week.

Spencer Blaney, 21, pleaded guilty to a felony assault with a weapon in Flathead District Court on March 6. The charge was lessened from a felony attempted deliberate homicide charge, to which Blaney previously pleaded not guilty.

Witnesses reported that Blaney showed up uninvited to a bonfire on Trumble Creek Road in Columbia Falls on Nov. 17. The witnesses allegedly heard Blaney say, “I’m going to [expletive] kill you,” as he attacked another man at the party, according to the police report.

The victim was reportedly taken to the hospital where he underwent surgery for his wounds. Blaney allegedly fled the scene and turned himself in to police later that night. He reportedly told deputies that he let anger build up toward the victim and he “lost it.”

The plea agreement between Blaney’s attorney and the county attorney calls for a 20-year sentence at Montana State Prison, with 10 years suspended. The state may request a five-year parole restriction at Blaney’s sentencing, which is scheduled for May 3 at 9 a.m. before Flathead District Court Judge Dan Wilson.

Blaney is being held in the Flathead County Detention Center on a $250,000 bond.

Reporter Breeana Laughlin can be reached at 758-4441 or blaughlin@dailyinterlake.com.