Judge dismisses felony assault case against Bigfork man

A Bigfork man accused of attacking another man with a metal pipe in 2024 later saw the case against him dismissed.  

Prosecutors brought Ben William Hatch, 44, up counts of felony assault with a weapon and misdemeanor criminal mischief following the alleged Aug. 10, 2024 confrontation on Sunset Drive. He pleaded not guilty at his Aug. 22 arraignment before Judge Danni Coffman in Flathead County District Court.  

On Feb. 12 2025, Deputy County Attorney John Donovan filed a motion to dismiss the case "in the interest of justice."  

Coffman ordered the case dismissed with prejudice that same day. 

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or dperkins@dailyinterlake.com.