Man jailed after Lakeside knife attack

A Flathead Valley man is in the county jail after he was accused of threatening two women with a knife at a Lakeside residence.

Presley Carter French, 56, is charged with two felony counts of assault with a weapon after a Feb. 2 incident. He could face as many as 40 years in the Montana State Prison and a fine of up to $50,000.

French is being held in jail on $40,000 bail. His arraignment is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 21.

According to the criminal complaint, a woman called 911 to report that French allegedly was stabbing the walls and threatening to kill her and her sister. When a Flathead County Sheriff’s deputy arrived at the Lakeside Avenue residence, she saw a pair of scissors stuck in a wall and a screwdriver stuck in a cabinet door.

French said nothing had happened, but the other woman, a sister to the first victim, said French had been drinking and became violent, the complaint said. She also alleged French threw a large, wooden cabinet from the bedroom to the living room.

One woman said French allegedly had a knife in his hand during the incident and told her he would kill her. She said she was afraid he would hurt her.

When the deputy spoke to the other woman, she said French allegedly came into her bedroom holding a knife and said he was going to cut off her head. She also said she thought French would hurt her when he put holes in her walls with the knife, according to the complaint.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 406-758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com