Polson on the Flathead Reservation in Montana. Photo from Montanabw / Wikipedia

A judge in Montana sentenced a Blackfeet Nation man to 60 years in prison for the death of a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

Makueeyapee Whitford, 34, was found guilty of deliberate homicide for the death of John Pierre Jr., 26, in March 2013. The incident occurred on the Flathead Reservation and stemmed from an argument about the bad history between the Blackfeet and Salish people, The Missoulian reported.

Whitford and Pierre's relatives spoke at the sentencing hearing. The defendant and his supporters pleaded for leniency but the judge handed down the long sentence and imposed parole restrictions.

Get the Story:
60 years with parole restrictions for man convicted in Polson stabbing death (The Missoulian 4/30)
Makueeyapee Whitford, found guilty in Polson fatal stabbing, wants new trial (MTN News 4/23)
Browning man found guilty of homicide in Polson stabbing death (The Missoulian 1/23)

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