Justice’s law clerk dies after stabbing

HELENA – A law clerk for a Montana Supreme Court justice died after being stabbed in the back as he walked in downtown Helena after watching televised football at a restaurant and bar, authorities said Saturday.

Paul A. Raftery, 41, died at St. Peter’s Hospital late Friday, soon after he suffered a single stab wound to the back and lost a large quantity of blood, Lewis and Clark County Coroner Mickey Nelson said.

Police Chief Troy McGee said the man was injured as he walked in downtown Helena at about 11 p.m. Friday. No arrests had been made Saturday evening, and the motive was unknown, McGee said.