Lake County District Court news for July 23, 2014
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
3 of 3 free articles.
Judge James A. Manley dealt with the following case Wednesday, July 16:
Patience Salois-Yonkin, 18, Ronan, pleaded not guilty to robbery, a felony. And omnibus hearing is set for Sept. 3 and a jury trial is set to begin Nov. 3.
According to court documents, charges stem from a June 26 incident where a Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to a report of two men wrestling next to a red car on Back Road. He saw a red car southbound of Light Road and a female walking in a field along Back Road. He stopped the red car, driven by Salois-Yonkin. She had a woman passenger. Salois-Yonkin had a significant amount of blood on her arms, hands and pants. Salois-Yonkin said she was riding in the car with a female, who was now the passenger. Salois-Yonkin said another female passenger, the “victim” in this case, had asked Salois-Yonkin if she wanted to buy some marijuana, and Salois-Yonkin told the passenger she did not smoke marijuana. The driver then pulled over to the side of the road and Salois-Yonkin told the female to get out. Salois-Yonkin said the victim then put her hands on Salois-Yonkin and Salois-Yonkin punched her in the face and kneed her in the face. The female then ran into the field to get away from Salois-Yonkin.
When a deputy interviewed the woman in the field, he noted she had blood on her face and an apparent broken nose. She told the deputy Salois-Yonkin and the other female had contacted her about buying some marijuana. When she arrived, Salois-Yonkin suggested taking a ride in the car because there were kids in the home. The female said Salois-Yonkin tried to steal her purse that contained about $150 worth of marijuana, and ordered her out of the car. That’s when the fight allegedly ensued.
The passenger also confirmed she saw Salois-Yonkin beating the victim up. Marijuana was found in the victim’s purse.
When asked why she would admit to distribution of dangerous drugs, the victim said she’d rather lose $150 of marijuana than her life.
Text messages between the two parties confirmed that Salois-Yonkin had contacted the victim, asking how much it was for two bags of marijuana, and after the victim replied it was $50, Salois-Yonkin texted that she wanted to “blaze” with the victim, slang for smoking marijuana.
Judge Deborah Kim Christopher dealt with the following case Thursday, July 17:
Douglas Cecil DuMont, 56, St. Ignatius, pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, fourth or subsequent offense, a felony. The deputy Lake County attorney noted this was Dumont’s third felony DUI and that he was not complying with Soberlink, and as such asked for $100,000 bail or a release with SCRAM. SCRAM was granted.
An omnibus hearing is set for Sept. 11 and a jury trial for Oct. 27.
According to court documents, charges stem from a June 16 incident where a tribal police officer stopped the vehicle driven by Dumont for failing to signal a turn on 4th Street in Pablo.
The officer noted DuMont’s speech was slow and slurred, his eyes bloodshot and glassy, and his breath smelled of alcohol. DuMont refused to give a breath sample.
DuMont’s driving record showed seven prior DUI convictions.
A Montana Highway Patrol trooper administered roadside sobriety tests, several of which DuMont could perform.
He was taken to St. Luke Hospital where a blood sample was collected and then sent to the Montana State Crime Lab.
