BOZEMAN — On Tuesday, August 12, The Gallatin County Commission approved County Attorney Audrey Cromwell’s request to hand over two deliberate homicide cases to the Department of Justice.

The cases include Chris Foiles, who is accused of murdering his girlfriend, Megan Stedman, in 2023 in the Bozeman Walmart parking lot. And, Darren Abbey, who is charged with the brutal murder of Dustin Kjersem at a campsite near Big Sky in 2024.

The handing over of these cases prompted a question: Why are special, state attorneys being appointed to prosecute high profile cases like these in Gallatin County?

In 2023, shortly after being elected and taking over the county attorney’s office, Cromwell told MTN that 11 cases were transferred to the Prosecution Services Bureau – which is a part of the Montan

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