New trial ordered in death of former Salish and Kootenai chair

Thursday, February 14, 2013  

A new trial has been ordered for the man who was convicted of murdering Harold Mitchell Jr., a former chairman of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of Montana.

Clifford Oldhorn was convicted in state court for Mitchell's July 2005 death. But his alleged confession was thrown out and he was released from a 100-year prison sentence on Wednesday, The Missoulian reported.

State prosecutors are appealing the decision that resulted in Oldhorn's confession being thrown out. Without the statement, it's possible that Oldhorn might never go to trial due to a lack of other evidence.

Three other men were implicated in the crime, which included the burning of Mitchell's body. Murder charges, however, were dismissed when Oldhorn stopped cooperating.

Two of the men are serving federal prison sentences for other crimes, the Missoulian reported.

Mitchell was 73 when he was murdered.

Get the Story:
Man convicted of ex-CSKT chairman's murder released pending new trial (The Missoulian 2/14)