Driver gets 20 years for killing nurse formerly of Butte

By The Montana Standard News Services - 10/23/2008

BILLINGS — Brian Houston was sentenced Wednesday to 20 years in prison for the death of Billings Clinic nurse Lillian Stahl, who was described by her family as a caring woman who dedicated her life to helping others.

District Judge Susan Watters imposed the sentence after hearing emotional testimony from the family of Stahl, 27, who was killed April 18. Stahl at one time worked for the Summit Surgery Center in Butte.

Watters said Houston, who turned 18 last month, has a long criminal history even at a young age, and previous attempts to offer him help were rejected.

Houston was driving drunk with stolen property in his GMC Jimmy when he ran a stop sign and hit Stahl's car broadside as she drove to work shortly before 7 a.m. Stahl died at the scene on Grand Avenue in Billings.

"This was a pure random act of violence that took the life of a totally innocent person," Watters told Houston.

The judge followed a plea agreement that called for Houston to receive 20 years in prison for negligent homicide, the maximum prison term under state law. Houston received concurrent sentences of three years suspended for felony charges of eluding and burglary.

Other charges were dismissed. The judge also ordered Houston to pay a fine of $2,000 and restitution of $20,196.

— The Billings Gazette