A man who helped police in Billings, Montana, arrest two 18-year-olds for the stabbing death of a transient took the stand on Wednesday.

Henry Rideshorse was on the street the night Rusty Lee-Ray Russell [pictured at right] and Brandon Spotted Wolf allegedly stabbed to death a homeless man and seriously injured another man. Rideshorse didn't see the actual blows, however, but he said he feared for his life when the teens came after him with the knife.

Rideshorse later provided information that led police to arrest Spotted Wolf, who was found with the knife alleged to have been used to kill John Gewanski and wound Dale Wallin. Spotted Wolf, who is now 19, has pleaded to deliberate homicide by accountability, aggravated assault and robbery.

Russell, who has turned 19, is on trial for deliberate homicide, aggravated assault, robbery by accountability and aggravated assault by accountability. He admits he was at the scene of the April 26, 2005, incident but says Spotted Wolf committed the stabbings.

Spotted Wolf is expected to take the stand today and testify against Russell.

Get the Story:
Witness describes stabbing by teens (The Billings Gazette 5/4)

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Montana man on trial for murder of homeless man (5/3)