Martin City man pleads not guilty to murder charge

A Martin City man accused of shooting and killing another man in Hungry Horse in April pleaded not guilty Thursday in Flathead County District Court.

James William Quen, 47, is charged with one felony count of deliberate homicide.

According to a court document dated May 29, Quen gave notice he intended to present evidence of justifiable use of force at the time of his trial.

Quen’s next scheduled court appearance is June 21 for a bail modification hearing. He is currently lodged in the county jail on $150,000 bond. His trial is scheduled for Sept. 10.

According to the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, Quen allegedly shot Bradley Allen Winters, 33, from Hungry Horse, during a late-night argument Wednesday, April 25. The altercation was reportedly over money.

According to the criminal complaint, when deputies arrived at the scene in Hungry Horse, Winters was on the ground with an apparent gunshot wound to the chest from a .38-caliber revolver.

According to the court document, the brother of the victim said Quen arrived at the residence and a dispute arose over clothes and money. He said he heard the sound of a gun cocking and then multiple shots fired. The victim’s brother said Winters was hit and Quen then left the area.

Flathead County sheriff’s deputies located Quen at about 1 a.m. Thursday and spoke with him.

He allegedly admitted to being in a dispute with the victim and his brother over money. According to the court documents, Quen admitted firing rounds from the revolver during the dispute.

He also admitted that he pointed his revolver at a person and shot him, and understood that person to be Winters, the document stated.

For the offense of deliberate homicide, Quen is facing 10 to 100 years in state prison. Because a gun was used, he may also face an additional two to 10 years.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.