Brown pleads guilty in stabbing case

Justice Brown, who will be 18 next week, Monday pleaded guilty to brutally stabbing three Montana State University-Northern students in a Highland Park apartment building in May.

He admitted to three counts of attempted deliberate homicide and one burglary count.

Judge Daniel Boucher set sentencing for 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 21 and ordered that a presentence investigation be conducted.

Brown, handcuffed and shackled, was barely audible as Boucher asked him questions to determine if he freely chose to sign a plea agreement in which he agreed to admit to the felony charges.

Repeatedly, Boucher asked him to speak up so he and the court reporter could hear what he was saying.

The judge asked if Brown had discussed the matter with his attorney, Steven Scott.

"Kinda," Brown responded.

Boucher asked if he was pleading guilty.

"You guys tell me what to do," Brown mumbled, never lifting his head up.

The judge said he couldn't do that, and asked if he wanted more time to talk to his attorney.

Boucher said Scott and Brown could confer in a side room while he heard other cases.

After Boucher concluded the other cases, Brown re-entered the courtroom and sat at the defense table with Scott.

This time, he gave monosyllabic answers as the judge asked questions about his involvement in the break-in and stabbings, admitting his guilt.

"I truly am hard of hearing," the judge said. "Can you say that again?"

Boucher ordered Brown to be sworn in as he admitted guilt. Brown raised his right hand as best he could in handcuffs and shackles.

"Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you God?" the court clerk asked as she read the oath.

"Yeah," Brown mumbled.

As Boucher read off the charges and potential sentences, Brown admitted guilt each time.

Scott objected only when the judge read off the possibility of life in prison without the chance of parole.

Scott noted that as a 17-year-old, Montana law prohibits that sentence.

After Boucher set the date for sentencing, Hill County Attorney Gina Dahl noted that Brown soon will turn 18. She asked Boucher to file an order that would remove him from the juvenile detention center in Great Falls to be transferred to the Hill County Detention Center where he will remain pending his sentence.

The judge agreed.

Brown pleaded guilty to allegations he repeatedly stabbed Alicia Schneid, Sam Mix and Taylor Woolman in a Highland Park apartment in the early morning of May 2. All three underwent prolonged hospitalization and are in the process of recovering.

Havre police arrested Brown shortly after the incident.

Brown was charged in a previous case in juvenile court with sexual intercourse without consent. He was given probation and ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluation.

The stabbing incident prompted waves of sympathy for the students and revulsion at the crime. Havreites took part in several fundraisers in behalf of the students.