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A jury has found a man with ties to white supremacists guilty of murder in a brutal killing in the southwest Montana Last year the campsite was initially reported as a possible bear attack.
Darren Christopher Abbey attacked Dustin Kjersem with a piece of wood, an axe, and a screwdriver when they met near Kjersem’s campsite. big skyMontana in October, 2024, according to prosecutors.
The defendant later admitted to taking Kjersem’s guns, coolers, cellphones and other items and hiding evidence.
Abhay was linked to the murder scene dna Found on a beer can inside the tent. He claimed that the killing was in self-defense after Kejarsem threatened him. Authorities said there were inconsistencies in his story, and pointed to multiple wounds sustained in the attack.
The victim’s girlfriend and another friend found his body and reported it as a possible bear attack. It turned into a murder investigation after wildlife agents found no sign of the bear in the area.
According to his sister, Kjersem had two children and worked as a self-employed contractor, building houses and learning other trades. According to Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer, Eby told authorities that he had arrived at the campsite with the intention of staying the night and was greeted by Kjersem, who did not know him.
A jury found Abe guilty of intentional homicide and tampering with evidence on Monday after a six-day trial, court records show.
An inmate information document from Gallatin County last year said the defendant listed an organizational affiliation with white supremacists. State Department of Corrections records say his tattoos included an iron cross with a swastika.
Abbey faces sentencing Dec. 30 before state District Judge Peter Ohman.
Jack Veal of the Gallatin County Attorney’s Office said intentional homicide is a serious crime in Montana, but prosecutors will not seek the death penalty in this case.