Wood's trial date moved

 

December 19, 2019



The murder trial of former Thompson Falls resident Danielle Wood has been moved to later in 2020.

In 20th District Judicial Court on Tuesday, Judge Deborah "Kim" Christopher tentatively set a new trial date for April 1, with jury selection set to begin that date.

The trial was originally set to begin Jan. 21, 2020, but was moved by the court. Wood is charged with deliberate homicide in the death of Matthew LaFriniere of Thompson Falls, her former boyfriend.

In court on Tuesday, Wood's attorney, public defender Kirk Krutilla, requested a bail modification hearing, which Judge Christopher set for January 21. Krutilla told the court that he feels there have been changes that make it safer for Wood to be out on bond. Judge Christopher replied that "the court is willing to listen, but I don't want to give false hope."

Krutilla and prosecuting attorney Daniel Guyzinski estimated the trial will last about a week and a half.

LaFriniere, 51, was found dead at his home on Airport Road east of Thompson Falls on May 3, 2018.

Wood was arrested in the case on March 20, 2019, and pleaded not guilty to the deliberate homicide charge in April.

Wood appeared by video from the Lake County district courtroom on Tuesday. She has been held at the Lake County Jail since her arrest. Prior to her arrest, Wood was living and working in Polson. While a resident of Thompson Falls, she worked as a Pampered Chef consultant.

Charging documents stated that LaFriniere was found under a piece of plywood outside his home with multiple gunshot wounds to his chest, back and hand.

 

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