From the Courts: State District Court - Stump sentenced to probation in chest-jumping assault

Elias J. Stump was sentenced to five years probation after pleading guilty in a case in which he was accused of jumping up and down on a man’s chest.

Stump was charged Aug. 13 after he was accused of assaulting a man who was watching trains go by near a 22nd Avenue rail crossing. The victim said he was approached and started sharing his liquor with the man who approached him, and the man eventually started attacking the vitim, including jumping in the air and landing with his knees on the victim’s chest.

BNSF Railway employees stopped the assault and one identified the man, who ran away, from a photo lineup.

The victim was taken to the hospital and treated for five broken ribs and other injuries.

Police arrested Stump the next day, noting he appeared to have bruises and cuts consistent with having attacked the victim and had what appeared to be blood on his clothes.

Stump pleaded no contest in state District Court in Havre under a plea agreement Feb. 25.

April 8, District Judge Yvonne Laird sentenced Stump to five years, all suspended, imposed a $1,500 fine with credit of $70 per day for 249 days served and ordered him to pay $3,104.04 in restitution and to pay fees and surcharges.