On July 9, Christopher Newrider and Valerie Thompson were arrested by Missoula police and charged with attempted deliberate homicide and assault with a weapon after a stabbing incident.

The Missoula County Attorney’s Office has declined to prosecute Thompson and Newrider. Deputy County Attorney Mac Bloom explained on Friday morning.

“Our office declined prosecution in consultation with the MPD detective who conducted the investigation because, according to the reports, evidence from witnesses involved showed that the relevant parties were either peripherally involved (Thompson) or engaged as mutual combatants (Newrider),” said Bloom. “The investigation could not establish a primary aggressor or disprove a self-defense claim.  Because there were insufficient facts to establish probable cause, we had an ethical duty to refrain from filing charges.”

According to the Missoula County Jail roster, both Newrider and Thompson have been released from custody.

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