
A suspect in the murder of a Montana dad and outdoorsman pleaded not guilty in court on Tuesday, claiming self-defense in the killing of 35-year-old Dustin Kjersem near Big Sky, Montana. Daren Christopher Abbey, 41, faces charges of deliberate homicide and tampering with evidence.
Abbey's confession to police alleged self-defense, stating that Kjersem threatened him after a dog incident at the campsite. However, the lack of defensive injuries on Abbey raised doubts about his claim. Kjersem's girlfriend found him dead in his tent, initially believed to be a bear attack until authorities determined it was a homicide.