By Josh Margolis
HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – A Havre woman that pleaded no contest to negligent homicide for leaving a woman to die in the cold south of Havre in November 2018 has been sentenced.
Alaynna Dyanne Gray was sentenced on Friday by Judge John Parker in Hill County District Court to 12 years in the Department of Corrections, with eight suspended.
Gray was also ordered to pay $22,181.73 in restitution.
Gray will receive credit for 218 days previously served.
The defense had recommended a deferred sentence, but Judge Parker found it was not commensurate with the crime, and a lengthy term of supervision would help ensure public safety and rehabilitation.
The Judge appeared via video for sentencing, which the defense objected to. The Court denied the objection, stating that sentencing in this case has already been delayed and that both the defendant and the victim’s family need closure and rehabilitation.
Court documents state that in November 2018 Gray was driving on Bullhook Road with 19-year-old Kyla Ashley Valdez in the passenger seat. Both were allegedly intoxicated and got into a physical altercation before Gray forced Valdez out of the vehicle.
Gray later called 911 to report that Valdez was missing. Valdez was eventually found by authorities in poor condition with a very light pulse. She was later transported to Benefis East Hospital in Great Falls in critical condition, where she died hours later.
