Yakima Teen Charged In Murder Montana Police Arrest Two After Chase From Victim’s Apartment

A Yakima County teenager visiting relatives in Montana has been charged there with deliberate homicide in the death of a man found beaten and stabbed in his apartment.

Jerry Lantis, 17, of Selah, and Michael Barnaby, 22, of Great Falls, Mont., were caught trying to flee the victim’s apartment in Great Falls on Friday. Lantis’ clothing and face were splattered with blood, authorities said.

Gary Bailey, 23, of Great Falls, was stabbed with a pen, slashed with a knife and badly beaten, police said.

Bail was set Monday at $250,000 for Lantis. Deliberate homicide in Montana calls for an automatic transfer of juveniles to adult court. The crime carries a penalty of death or 10 to 100 years in prison.

Barnaby’s bail was set at $250,000 on Friday.

“We’re piecing this together, trying to find a motive,” said Cascade County, Mont., Attorney Brant Light.

Police were called to the victim’s apartment complex about 3:30 a.m. Friday because of a disturbance.

They were met at the door by Barnaby, who told officers that he and his wife were fighting but it was over with and there was no problem. However, police saw blood on Barnaby’s face and clothes, so an officer jammed his flashlight in the door and they forced their way inside. Bailey’s body was on the floor, and the two suspects bolted through the door.

Both were chased down and a long knife was recovered, officials said.