Sarah Crane Murdoch (Reporter)

I asked Montana Highway Patrol several times for an interview with Wayne Bieber, but they declined.

I asked Montana Highway Patrol several times for an interview with Wayne Bieber, but they declined.

The distrust Native families have of law enforcement is centuries old. Starting in the 1860s, the U.S. troops that had been stationed on reservations were replaced with police forces. These police took Native children from their families to send to boarding schools, arrested holy men for practicing religious ceremonies, and quelled rebellions.

The distrust Native families have of law enforcement is centuries old. Starting in the 1860s, the U.S. troops that had been stationed on reservations were replaced with police forces. These police took Native children from their families to send to boarding schools, arrested holy men for practicing religious ceremonies, and quelled rebellions.

The distrust Native families have of law enforcement is centuries old. Starting in the 1860s, the U.S. troops that had been stationed on reservations were replaced with police forces. These police took Native children from their families to send to boarding schools, arrested holy men for practicing religious ceremonies, and quelled rebellions.

It was the role of law enforcement on reservations to control Native people before it was to keep them safe. Police were there to protect white settlers who lived on and around reservations. Meanwhile, a lot of crimes affecting tribal citizens were never investigated or prosecuted.

It was the role of law enforcement on reservations to control Native people before it was to keep them safe. Police were there to protect white settlers who lived on and around reservations. Meanwhile, a lot of crimes affecting tribal citizens were never investigated or prosecuted.

It was the role of law enforcement on reservations to control Native people before it was to keep them safe. Police were there to protect white settlers who lived on and around reservations. Meanwhile, a lot of crimes affecting tribal citizens were never investigated or prosecuted.

In the 1960s, the federal government turned over its jurisdiction on the Flathead Reservation to the state of Montana. But Montana has been reluctant to spend money on policing the reservation. And tribal members' distrust of law enforcement has only grown. Chrissa and Kevin were convinced Bieber wasn't investigating Micah's case, so they tried investigating on their own.

In the 1960s, the federal government turned over its jurisdiction on the Flathead Reservation to the state of Montana. But Montana has been reluctant to spend money on policing the reservation. And tribal members' distrust of law enforcement has only grown. Chrissa and Kevin were convinced Bieber wasn't investigating Micah's case, so they tried investigating on their own.

In the 1960s, the federal government turned over its jurisdiction on the Flathead Reservation to the state of Montana. But Montana has been reluctant to spend money on policing the reservation. And tribal members' distrust of law enforcement has only grown. Chrissa and Kevin were convinced Bieber wasn't investigating Micah's case, so they tried investigating on their own.

They started working with a tribal advocate who helps families of murder victims. Her name is Erica Shelby. She knocked on every door within a few miles of where Micah was killed. looking for surveillance footage and witnesses. One business had a direct view. She connected Carissa and Kevin with a lawyer to make sure the business preserved the footage.

They started working with a tribal advocate who helps families of murder victims. Her name is Erica Shelby. She knocked on every door within a few miles of where Micah was killed. looking for surveillance footage and witnesses. One business had a direct view. She connected Carissa and Kevin with a lawyer to make sure the business preserved the footage.

They started working with a tribal advocate who helps families of murder victims. Her name is Erica Shelby. She knocked on every door within a few miles of where Micah was killed. looking for surveillance footage and witnesses. One business had a direct view. She connected Carissa and Kevin with a lawyer to make sure the business preserved the footage.

Three weeks after Micah's death, Bieber finally visited Kevin and Carissa at their house. They remember him standing awkwardly in the kitchen. Carissa's seated at the kitchen island. Kevin is in a recliner behind her. Erica is there, too, taking notes. The meeting feels tense, restrained. They can't get an answer to their main question. Why wasn't Sunny White behind bars?

Three weeks after Micah's death, Bieber finally visited Kevin and Carissa at their house. They remember him standing awkwardly in the kitchen. Carissa's seated at the kitchen island. Kevin is in a recliner behind her. Erica is there, too, taking notes. The meeting feels tense, restrained. They can't get an answer to their main question. Why wasn't Sunny White behind bars?

Three weeks after Micah's death, Bieber finally visited Kevin and Carissa at their house. They remember him standing awkwardly in the kitchen. Carissa's seated at the kitchen island. Kevin is in a recliner behind her. Erica is there, too, taking notes. The meeting feels tense, restrained. They can't get an answer to their main question. Why wasn't Sunny White behind bars?

A walk path. He's not talking about Sonny White's intoxication. He's talking about Micah's. This is the first time anyone in law enforcement has mentioned to Kevin and Carissa that Micah might have been drunk. It's also the first time anyone has told them that being drunk and walking on the side of the road is a crime in Montana.

A walk path. He's not talking about Sonny White's intoxication. He's talking about Micah's. This is the first time anyone in law enforcement has mentioned to Kevin and Carissa that Micah might have been drunk. It's also the first time anyone has told them that being drunk and walking on the side of the road is a crime in Montana.

A walk path. He's not talking about Sonny White's intoxication. He's talking about Micah's. This is the first time anyone in law enforcement has mentioned to Kevin and Carissa that Micah might have been drunk. It's also the first time anyone has told them that being drunk and walking on the side of the road is a crime in Montana.