Whitefish Man Committed to State Hospital for Killing Father

KALISPELL, Mont. (AP) — A Whitefish man who pleaded guilty by reason of a mental disorder to killing his father has been sentenced to 20 years in the state mental hospital.

District Judge Robert Allison sentenced Tanner Hosek, 28, Thursday to 40 years in the custody of the Department of Public Health and Human Services with 20 suspended. Hosek appeared in court via video from the Montana State Hospital in Warm Springs. He was given credit for more than 560 days already served.

Hosek pleaded guilty in November to mitigated deliberate homicide the July 2018 stabbing death of Eric Hosek, 65

Tanner Hosek was diagnosed with schizophrenia and was a ward of his parents at the time of the stabbing, court records said.

Hosek’s attorney, Will Managhan, asked the judge to suspend 30 years of the sentence.

“He’s clearly mentally disabled and I don’t think sending Mr. Hosek to 40 years is necessary,” Managhan said. “I don’t think 40 years will be necessary for Mr. Hosek to be fit for release. ”

Hosek’s mother also favored a 10-year commitment, Flathead County Travis Ahner said. He noted the health department is required to do an annual review to determine where Hosek would be placed.

If the health department determines Hosek is no longer mentally ill, the agency can recommend another placement or that he be released, both attorneys said.

Allison asked Hosek if he had anything to say. “I’m sorry this happened,” Hosek responded.