Jury finds Polson woman guilty of murder

THOMPSON FALLS – A jury of eight women and four men found Danielle Jeanette Wood, 56, of Polson, guilty of deliberate homicide Friday afternoon in the death of Thompson Falls resident Matthew LaFriniere.

Wood, who has been held at the Lake County Detention Center for nearly two years since her arrest on March 20, 2019, had no visible reaction as the verdict was read in Sanders County District Court. Between Thursday afternoon and Friday morning, jurors deliberated about six hours.

Wood is accused of shooting Matt LaFriniere three times with a .38 caliber revolver and then using a “burner” cellphone to try and lead investigators away from suspecting her.

LaFriniere and Wood had been in a years-long custody battle over a child they had together.

Montana Department of Justice attorney Dan Guzynski asked that Wood be held without bail until her sentencing on March 2. He also told District Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher his office and the Division of Criminal Investigation are looking into a phone call allegedly made Thursday by Wood’s son, Hunter, to a witness in the case.

“It scared [the witness]” Guzynski said.

“We don’t need anymore trouble than what there has been and I hope defense counsel can help in this,” Christopher said.

Soon after, Sanders County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Shawna Chenoweth locked the handcuffs on Wood’s wrists and she was led from the courtroom by other members of the department.

Theresa Sink, a close friend and former coworker of LaFriniere, found his body just outside his residence on the afternoon of May 3, 2018.

Sink let out a muted “yes” as the verdict was read.

George LaFriniere, Matt’s father, said he was happy it was over.

“The pain went all the way around, but we’re happy it’s done and his daughter is safe with our family,” he said.

“We hope this brings some closure for this family and the community,” Montana Department of Justice attorney Stephanie Robles said. “The residents of this community made a big difference in helping establish a timeline that placed Wood at the scene of the crime.”

Guzynski lauded the investigators, Kevin McCarvel, Mark Hilyard and Mark Strangio. Sanders County Sheriff Tom Rummel called on the Division of Criminal Investigation because Matt LaFriniere had previously worked as a detention officer with the county.

“This case was challenging in that the firearm used was never found,” Guzynski said. “But the tremendous efforts by Agent Kevin McCarvel and other investigators allowed the jury to return a verdict of guilty.

“We certainly feel justice was done today,” Guzynski said. “We thank the jury members who listened attentively for two weeks to a lot of evidence.”

Attorneys for Wood, Greg Rapkoch and Keenan Gallagher, had no comment before exiting the courtroom.

Wood faces a maximum term of 100 years in the Montana State Women’s Prison.

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