A former Malmstrom Air Force Base airman who shot and killed another serviceman in February 2020 has changed his plea in Cascade County District Court.
Christopher Dominic Contardo, 26, pleaded guilty Wednesday to negligent homicide for fatally shooting Tristan Carlson during a party in the early morning hours of Feb. 2, 2020.
Cascade County Attorney Josh Racki said the plea agreement came after an all-day mediation session with members of Carlson’s family present. Racki told District Judge John Parker that the family got a chance to confront Contardo, which was “one of the reasons for a successful mediation.”
According to Contardo’s plea agreement, the state and the defense are recommending a six-year commitment to the Montana Department of Corrections with six years suspended and a 150-day commitment to the Great Falls Pre-Release Center.
A juvenile who accidentally shot and killed another juvenile in November of last year changed his answer Tuesday before Cascade County District Judge John Kutzman.
Conner J. Svingen, 14, answered true to the charge of negligent homicide for the Nov. 12, 2020, shooting of Antonio Thierry, also 14.
The change of answer was based on a plea agreement that called for Svingen’s attorney and the Cascade County Attorney’s Office to recommend that Svingen be placed on probation with Montana Youth Court Services until he is 21 or until released by court order.
The maximum sentence allowed would be a commitment to Pine Hills Youth Correctional Facility until age 21 or release by the court.