Overview
- A Gallatin County jury found Abbey guilty of deliberate homicide and two counts of tampering with evidence after a six-day trial.
- Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 30 before Judge Peter Ohman, and prosecutors confirmed they will not seek capital punishment.
- Investigators linked Abbey to the tent through DNA on a beer can; prosecutors said he used a block of wood, an axe and a screwdriver and later concealed stolen items.
- The death was initially reported as a possible bear attack, but wildlife agents found no sign of an animal and the case shifted to a homicide investigation.
- The defense argued self-defense and may appeal after sentencing, while records note Abbey’s reported white-supremacist affiliation and extremist tattoos.