Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes v. Sorrell

OPINION

Chief Justice SMITH:

INTRODUCTION

On the evening of August 8, 1995, the Defendant James “Bo” Sorrell had been drinking. In the early morning of August 9, 1995, the Defendant is alleged to have assaulted his wife at their home by striking her in the face and by pointing a loaded pistol at her. The Defendant’s daughter ran to the neighbor’s house, summoned the police, and then returned to the house where she retrieved the loaded pistol from her father. The Defendant was arrested that morning and charged with Domestic Abuse, Aggravated Assault, and Criminal Endangerment.

The Defendant’s…