Box Elder man pleads guilty to manslaughter in deadly stabbing

GREAT FALLS, Mont. – A Box Elder man confessed to manslaughter charges after a deadly stabbing on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot in a release.

Trent Justin Taylor, 24, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter. This charge could result in eight years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

Taylor will remain in custody until his sentencing on July 16.

The stabbing occurred on December 27, 2025. The victim and his family were leaving their house when Taylor argued with his girlfriend. After a confrontation, Taylor threatened to harm himself.

The victim intervened, and during a struggle for a kitchen knife, he was fatally stabbed.

Witnesses said both men had their hands on the knife when it happened. Despite immediate life-saving efforts, the victim died at Northern Montana Hospital.

An autopsy confirmed the cause of death as a stab wound, the U.S. Attorney’s Office added.