Polson woman admits to pointing gun at spouse

A Polson woman, accused of pointing a gun at her husband, will avoid more jail time. Elizabeth Simone Richard, 36, entered a plea of guilty in Polson District Court March 6 to misdemeanor assault. The plea was entered as part of an agreement that amended one count of felony assault with a weapon to misdemeanor assault.

According to court records, on June 15, 2023, deputies with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a woman threatening a man with a gun. At the scene, the alleged victim advised that his wife had taken off into the woods with a gun. 

He further advised the deputy that he and his wife were having relationship issues. They argued and it escalated to her allegedly attacking him by throwing things, then kicking, scratching and hitting him before firing a round from the gun and running into the woods. At one point, she turned around and allegedly pointed the gun at him after she had fired a round into the air.

Judge Molly Owen accepted the plea agreement, citing Richard’s non-existent criminal history and sincere remorse and deferred the imposition of sentencing for six months. She also gave Richard credit for having already served seven days in jail.