A former patient who was threatened by Missula’s doctor sentenced up to three years of state guardianship

Missula – Stevensville’s husband was sentenced to three years in custody this week after he was sentenced to intimidate the crime for the threat of a doctor -Naturopat Monsula and her clinic.

On Monday, Judge of the District Court Missula Lesul Halligan arranged Daniel Kovatsa to the Department of Corrections for 10 years, when seven years have been removed. The judge gave him his merit for 315 days, which he served in prison. Kowats was convicted of intimidating a crime that a maximum 10-year punishment in early December. Khalligan did not condemn the blacksmith to the state prison in Montana, but the department could send him there, she said.

Khalligan stated that she tried to balance the community’s safety with reasons for the mental health of covators and the lack of resources in the criminal justice system to meet his complex needs, which include hearing loss, diagnosis of autism and drug abuse. The sentence allows the Department of Corrections to determine the most appropriate placement for covations in its range of programs, she said.

In July 2023, Kovats sent his former doctor Christine White Dibl e -mail, threatening to kill her and everyone at her clinic, Health and Wellness in Missul. A few hours later, he sent another email that said he would not be threatened. White Deblen read the emails the next day after they were sent and called 911.

On the eve of the trial, Kovats was released under several conditions, including he lives with his brother near Stevensville, not to come in contact with a white deed or her clinic. He never broke the conditions, but the white Dibl said she had spent months worried that he would return to the clinic.

On Monday, White Dibl, her husband and former Natura Nancy Dann Bainington read a long statements that describe in detail how the threat affected their lives and clinic. They expressed anxiety about the immediate return of the blacksmith home if his punishment was completely removed and asked the judge to include a little imprisonment.

“It is time for Daniel to be the burden of his actions,” said White Dibl. “A few months in prison and at home are not appropriate. His mental health is important to consider, but this does not replace our mental health. ”

Dann Baington, a natural doctor, stated that there should be enough consequences to distract others from such threats.

Kowatsa’s brother, family friends and several health workers who worked with the kovato testified his obvious improvement in the moon they released, and asked to return home under supervision to continue treatment. As part of the conditions of its preliminary release of the coval, they had to attend therapy and take prescribed medicines.

William Stratford, a psychiatrist who first appreciated Kovats in 2023, said he seems to have been working better lately. Stratford said the covations would not be well in prison.

“I do not think there is a chance that it will be better and every probability that it will turn out worse,” Stratford said.

Stephen Ferguson, a licensed clinical social worker, stated that the correctional system has limited services for those who have serious mental health problems or autism, and remains in the community where he can access wrapping care, will better serve covations.

Ferguson said he knew the coval family since childhood and noticed improvement in Daniel during a recent visit. Although he realizes that the cultural Zeithest around the guns affects the victims, Kovats did not take any action, except to send an e -mail, Ferguson said.

“Do we define (Daniel) because he did, or under the cultural appearance of violence with weapons?” he said.

Nandor Kovaats stated that his brother has been dealing with the struggle, including hearing loss, communication problems and recent deaths of parents. The influence of threatening email should not be taken with ease, he said.

“I think it was an event for him that changes life,” Kovats said. “I am sorry that it is at the expense of peace of mind.”

Kowats said his brother needed therapy, not prison to allow him to make progress in his life.

Daniel Kovaats did not make a statement on Monday, but sent the judge to the letter he wrote it after condemnation.

Halligan has abandoned several court fees, but approved $ 20,000 in restitution that White Deblen demanded loss of income, medical and safe expenses.

Kowats is likely to remain in the Missula County for screening and potentially go to Montana State Hospital for further evaluation and treatment, Khalligan said.

“It depends on the department of corrections and your behavior to manage your future steps,” she said Kovats. “I hope in the future you understand the scale of what happened and take action to be healthier.”

After the sentence, the White Dibl said that she felt that the judge heard and recognized the impact on the victims. The feeling of relief is still immersed, she said.

“It was a vigilance exercise with the only compensation we received when he was in prison,” she said. “So nice to have finality about things and fences.”