Authorities allege suspect used brick in murder

A Flathead Valley man has been charged with deliberate homicide in the death of a Kalispell man earlier this week.

According to authorities, Leigh Garrett Medina, 43, was arrested Monday on a probation violation. The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office alleges Medina was involved in the crime from the beginning.

Charging documents filed by the Flathead County Attorney’s Office indicate Medina allegedly used a brick to kill the victim, 67-year-old Paul David Kellenberger of Kalispell, at his Lenwood Lane residence.

A forensic exam by the Montana State Crime Lab in Missoula determined that Kellenberger was assaulted, suffering a severe head injury.

According to the court document, an eyewitness to the alleged crime told law enforcement officers he saw Medina leave the home and told him to “not say anything” when the witness arrived looking for Kellenberger.

Another eyewitness said he was present when Kellenberger was killed. He said he saw Medina allegedly strike the victim several times in the head with a large cement brick.

The second witness said he told Medina to stop or he could kill Kellenberger, but Medina allegedly struck the victim several more times.

The complaint also indicated Medina was found at a Third Avenue residence in Kalispell. After questioning, Medina allegedly admitted to being at Kellenberger’s home earlier in the day.

Officers said they saw what they believed to be blood on Medina’s clothing.

Medina has a prior criminal history in the Flathead dating back nearly a decade. In November 2009, Medina was accused of stealing several power tools and related items. He later pleaded guilty to an amended charge of theft and also to bail jumping. He received a five-year sentence with three years suspended for the theft charge.

Then, in April 2014, Medina pleaded no contest to criminal endangerment after assaulting a man with a metal object at a Shadow Lane residence in Evergreen. The criminal complaint alleged Medina punched the victim in the face and struck him in the back of the head with a metal object that left the man bloody. The man fended off the attack with a rake he was using for yard work.

Medina also served time for those offenses.

Kellenberger also had a criminal past. According to court documents, he had faced charges for the possession of dangerous drugs and criminal possession with the intent to distribute.

Medina is currently in the Flathead County Jail on $500,000 bail.

He faces 10 to 100 years, or life in prison, on the homicide charge, and two to 10 years because a weapon was used in the crime.

Medina will be arraigned at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.