The Fatality Review Commission, authorized by MCA 2-15-2017, seeks to reduce homicides caused by family violence. The Commission meets twice yearly to review closed domestic homicide cases.
The review seeks to:
- identify gaps in Montana’s system for protecting domestic violence victims
- better coordinate multi-agency efforts to protect those most at risk of domestic homicide
After consulting with the Attorney General, the Commission determines which cases it will review. The Office of Victim Services coordinates the Commission’s work.
The Attorney General appoints Commission members from representatives of involved federal, state and private agencies, the medical and mental health community, law enforcement and the courts, Native Americans, the legislature and the MT Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.
Commission Members:
| Name | Position | Organization | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beki Brandborg | Team Facilitator | Mediator | Helena |
| Dan Murphy |
Detective | Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement | Butte |
| Caroline Fleming | Executive Director | Custer Network Against Domestic Assault | Miles City |
| Diana Garrett | Attorney | Montana Legal Services | Missoula |
| Jenny Eck | Legislator | House of Representatives | Helena |
| Connie Harvey | Therapist | Self-Employed | Lewistown |
| Maurita Johnson | Administrator | Child & Family Services Division | Helena |
| Dan Doyle | Professor | University of Montana | Missoula |
| Joan McCracken |
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner | Retired | Billings |
| Chuck Munson | Assistant Attorney General | MT Department of Justice | Helena |
| John Buttram | Licensed Professional Counselor | Batterers’ Treatment Program | Kalispell |
| Lee Johnson |
Supervisor | Division of Criminal Investigation | Bozeman |
| Matthew Dale | Team Coordinator | Office of Victim Services | Helena |
| Martha Rhoades | Psychiatrist | Billings Clinic | Billings |
| Glen Stinar | Administrator | MT Law Enforcement Academy | Helena |
| Dennis Loveless |
Judge | City of East Helena | East Helena |
| John C. Brown | District Judge | State of Montana | Bozeman |
| Suzy Boylan | Prosecutor | Missoula County | Missoula |
| Warren Hiebert | Chaplain | Gallatin County Sheriff’s Department | Bozeman |
Native American Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team Members:
| Name | Position | Organization | City |
| Beki Brandborg | Team Facilitator | Mediator | Helena |
| Brandon Walter | Special Agent | FBI | Billings |
| Misty Kuhl | Tribal Liaison | U.S. Senator Steve Daines | Malta |
| Eric Barnosky | Regional Administrator | HHS/CFSD | Miles City |
| Georgette Baggio | Attorney | Private practice | Hardin |
| Harlan Trombley | Native American Liaison | Department of Corrections | Great Falls |
| Jared Cobell | Asst. U.S. Attorney | Office of the U.S. Attorney | Helena |
| Joan Eliel | SAKI Coordinator | Department of Justice | Helena |
| Kelly McDonald | Tribal Prosecutor | CSK Tribal Court | Pablo |
| Lacey Alexander-Small | IMPACT Coordinator | Big Horn Valley Health Center | Hardin |
| Matthew Dale | Team Coordinator | Department of Justice | Helena |
| Melissa Schlichting | Assistant Attorney General | Department of Justice | Helena |
| Mistee Rides at the Door | Tribal Liaison | MT Legal Services Assoc. | Browning |
| Richard Jackson | Magistrate | Fort Berthold District Court | New Town, ND |
| John Robinson | Judge | Northern Cheyenne Tribal Court | Lame Deer |
| Stephanie Iron Shooter | Caring Schools Coordinator | Office of Public Instruction | Billings |
| Wendy Bremner | Victim Specialist | Bureau of Indian Affairs | Browning |
| Lenora Nioce | Asst. SA in Charge | Bureau of Indian Affairs | Billings |
| Winona Tanner | Chief Judge | CSK Tribal Court | Pablo |
| Rose Saddler | Child Advocate | Chippewa Cree Tribe | Box Elder |
| Amanda Peterman | Tribal Liaison | U.S. Representative Greg Gianforte | Hardin |
Biennial Report – While the Commission’s meetings and records are confidential, state law requires it to publish a report detailing its findings and recommendations.
- 2015 Report (PDF)
- 2013 Report (PDF)
- 2011 Report (PDF)
- 2009 Report (PDF)
- 2007 Report (PDF)
- 2005 Report (PDF)
The National Domestic Violence Fatality Review Initiative, housed at the Northern Arizona University, acts as a clearinghouse and resource center dedicated to domestic violence fatality review.
The Alliance of Local Service Organizations (ALSO), based in Chicago, profiled the work of the commission in a 20-minute movie. The film explores and explains the process the commission follows when it conducts a review. The film is available here on the group’s website.
Contact
For further information about the Fatality Review Commission, contact:
Office of Victim Services
Department of Justice
P.O. Box 201410
Helena, MT 59620-1410
Phone: (406) 444-1907
Fax: (406) 442-2174
E-mail: [email protected]