Woman accused of wielding woodworking tool in attack given deferred prosecution agreement

A Flathead County District Court judge dismissed this month an assault case against a woman accused of attacking another woman with a woodworking tool late last spring.

Judge Danni Coffman dismissed the case without prejudice Feb. 6 at the behest of prosecutors after Ashley Jean Morse, 36, signed a deferred prosecution agreement. Though Morse initially faced a felony assault with a weapon charge, prosecutors had amended it to misdemeanor assault by the time of the agreement. 

Under the terms of the deal, Morse must remain law-abiding for one year. Prosecutors can refile the charge if Morse violates the agreement.