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Gray sentenced for negligent homicide in freezing death

Sentenced to 12 years, eight suspended, ordered to pay more than $22,000 restitution

Alaynna Gray has been sentenced in state District Court in Havre to 12 years, eight suspended and ordered to pay restitution on a charge of negligent homicide in the freezing death of Kyla Valdez.

According to a court document, about 8:19 a.m. Nov. 8, 2018, 911 received a call from Gray, who was on Bullhook Road about 15 miles south of Havre and who said she had been arguing with Valdez and left her on the road earlier. She told the 911 dispatcher she was back at the scene trying to find Valdez.

The document said a deputy found Gray about 15 miles south of Havre in a gray Chevrolet pickup truck and that she had apparently been drinking.

The document said 2 to 3 inches of snow was on the ground and National Weather Service reported a low of 7 degrees for that night and morning.

Gray told the deputy she had been drinking with Valdez, who had been driving. After she drove into the ditch, Gray said, she took over driving. She said Valdez became upset and the two started fighting, including Valdez striking Gray in the nose and the two choking each other.

Gray told the deputy she pushed Valdez out of the truck using her feet.

She said she had been almost out of gasoline at the time and drove to a gas station to buy more, then went to try to get help finding Valdez but was unable to get help for the search.

The second deputy later found Valdez lying in the snow in the ditch by the road wearing only socks, gym shorts, a shirt and light jacket.

She was taken to a Havre hospital and then transported to a Great Falls hospital, where she died.

Feb. 20 of this year Gray pleaded no contest to the felony negligent homicide charge, not admitting guilt but agreeing that she would likely be convicted in a trial. A no contest plea has the same effect as a guilty plea for sentencing.

State District Judge John Parker declined Friday to accept the defense's recommendation of a probationary deferred imposition of sentence for a first felony offense, saying it was not commensurate with the crime, a court document said.

Parker said a lengthy term of supervision would help ensure public safety and Gray's rehabilitation, and sentenced her to 12 years with eight suspended, ordered her to pay $22,101.73 in restitution with the administrative fee waived and credited her with 218 days served.

He said he had read letters of support for Gray and that what people wrote in the letters as hopes for her matched the state's goals and that he found the letters to be sincere, the document said.

Parker wished Gray well in the future.

 

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