Underdahl Enters Not Guilty Pleas In District Court
Kai Irwin Leigh Underdahl made not guilty pleas to five felony charges during his initial appearance in district court on Thursday, Nov. 12.
Underdahl is facing three counts of assault with a weapon and two charges of criminal endangerment. The charges pertain to an alleged incident involving Underdahl chasing another vehicle and shooting gunshots on Highway 2 west of Culbertson Oct. 4.
The counts for assault with a weapon each carry a maximum of 20 years in the Montana State Prison and a fine of $50,000. The counts for criminal endangerment carry a maximum sentence of 10 years and a fine of $50,000.
Parties agreed to a date of Jan. 26 for an omnibus hearing.
District Judge David Cybulski suggested March 11 for the trial date. Deputy county attorney Frank Piocos and defense attorney Terrence Toavs agreed to that date.
According to court documents, it was reported that a pickup was following a Honda Civic after the driver of the pickup allegedly made threats in an online group chat.
Roosevelt County Dispatch advised officers that the driver of the pickup was firing a gun at the Honda. After the incident, officers met with parties of the Honda vehicle. They said the suspect was “really mad” because one of them was spending time with Underdahl’s ex-girlfriend.
They reported that on the previous night, Underdahl followed them in Culbertson. Later in a group Snapchat, Underdahl allegedly recorded a video where he tapped the camera with a handgun.
Later, Underdahl allegedly followed them again, pulled up behind their vehicle and swerve to try to run them off highway. The driver of the Honda said he heard multiple shots behind them as they continued to drive.
According to court documents, Underdahl’s current girlfriend, who was a passenger in the pickup, videotaped the incident.
