Woman in Great Falls homicide case appears in court

GREAT FALLS, Mont. – A woman accused in the death of a downtown business owner appeared in court this week, facing serious charges.

Kelsey Staigmiller was charged with deliberate homicide after an incident on May 18. Police reported that she forced her way into an apartment during a drug-related argument, then approached a pickup truck where Sarah Bailey was sitting.

Surveillance footage allegedly shows Staigmiller pushing Bailey from the truck, then driving off, dragging Bailey down the street. Bailey died at the scene. This case has deeply impacted the Great Falls community.

Staigmiller had an arraignment and bail hearing at the Cascade County Courthouse on June 2, where she faced an amended list of charges. Judge Elizabeth Best disclosed a past social connection to the Staigmiller family but assured both sides of her impartiality. Both parties agreed she could oversee the case.

Prosecutors described the incident as "every citizen's worst nightmare."

"This is a case where this defendant got into somebody else's vehicle that they didn't know, a complete and total stranger, assaulted that person, ripped out clumps of their hair which were found on the street going the wrong way, driving the victim's vehicle, and then ran her over and killed her," said Deputy County Attorney Matthew Robertson.

The state argued that Staigmiller is a significant flight risk, noting she sped away from Great Falls after the incident. Missoula County deputies eventually apprehended her by firing a 40mm less-lethal round into her vehicle.

Staigmiller's defense team urged for a reduction in her $500,000 bail to $10,000, citing her local ties and willingness to comply with GPS and alcohol monitoring.

"She has family in the area, your honor, she is supported today by her parents who are in the courtroom as well. This is a very significant case, it's also a very significant reduction. However, I think that Ms. Staigmiller will make it to all of her hearings and I think this was very isolated, I don't see any further risk to the community. We're asking for a reduction to $10,000," said Defense Attorney Mark Frisbie.

Prosecutors countered this request, referencing pending drug charges in Yellowstone County and past instances of Staigmiller allegedly resisting arrest.

Staigmiller pleaded not guilty to all charges, and a scheduling hearing is set for June 16.