BILLINGS, Mont. — A Colorado man charged with killing his wife 15 years ago has agreed to return to Montana to face trial amid indications that authorities had long harbored questions about his possible involvement in the case.
Brian David Laird, 46, waived extradition during a first court appearance Thursday in Fort Collins, according to minutes of his appearance.
Montana authorities want Laird to face trial in Big Horn County in the death of Kathyrn Laird, whose badly bruised body was found floating in a bay downstream of Yellowtail Dam in Fort Smith on July 31, 1999.
If convicted, Brian Laird, a former Montana fly-fishing guide and attorney, could face the death penalty or a minimum 10 years to life in prison.
Court documents show Laird was questioned extensively about the case in 2002 when he sought a license to practice law in Missouri.
Authorities say there was never a decision on whether he was fit to practice because Laird failed the state bar exam.
Witnesses who emerged two years ago reported a bitter argument between the couple the night Kathryn Laird died.
