A dispute over parking in a handicapped spot let to a confrontation in the Murdoch’s parking lots last September. The man accused of the shooting has been acquitted. He is 71-year old John David Walker, charged with Assault with a Weapon.
It was a 3-day trial with jurors spending about 2-hours in deliberations before returning the non-guilt verdict last Thursday.
Here’s the backstory: Kalispell Police and Fire Department responded to the Hwy 93 South parking lot, discovering one man on the ground and Walker with a gun in his hand. The victim was taken to the Logan Health E-R and Walker taken to the Kalispell Police Department for questioning.
They learned that the two had a dispute over Walker’s parking in a Handicapped spot. The victim–now known to us as Timothy Saxer, approached Walker and a verbal dispute ensued. Escalating, Walker drew his handgun and 2-gunshots rang out. What isn’t clear is when the victim punched Walker–before he drew and gun or after. Depends on who answered that question.
We’re not privy to the jury’s deliberations, but likely, they decided Walker was slugged before he discharged his weapon.
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