Ronan man charged in fatal stabbing

Lake County Detention photo
Allen Metzger

By Jim Blow
Valley Journal
RONAN — A Ronan man is in custody following a fatal stabbing at a bar in Ronan on Aug. 16.
Allen Metzger, 52, was arraigned in Justice Court in Polson last Tuesday, Aug. 18 on charges of deliberate homicide and carrying a concealed weapon. Judge Chuck Wall ordered Metzger held in Lake County Jail without bond and referred the case to district court.
According to an affidavit filed by the Lake County Attorney in Justice Court, Ronan Police officers interviewed Metzger at a Ronan residence about an earlier altercation with the 50-year-old victim, James L. Finch, in the restroom of the Valley Club. Metzger told the officers that he had just stabbed a guy in the Valley Club Bar.
Court records state that a witness said Metzger had earlier told him he had stabbed Finch and showed him a double-edged, five-inch knife that appeared to have blood on the blade.
Police officers took Metzger in custody and were advised by the dispatcher that a victim named James Finch had been admitted to St. Luke Hospital with a stab wound. Finch was transferred by life-flight helicopter to Missoula where he later died.
The affidavit states on Monday Metzger admitted to the confrontation in an interview with investigators, but said Finch first struck him over the head as Metzger stood at the urinal. Metzger responded by pulling out his knife and swinging it at the Finch. Metzger claimed to not know whether he struck the victim, who walked out of the restroom and left the bar.