Jury Takes 38 Minutes To Convict Montana Man Who Firebombed Neighbor With Truck

POLSON, Montana — A 65-year-old Montana man who transformed his pickup into a firebomb and crashed it into his neighbor's house is now facing potentially decades more prison time after withdrawing his guilty plea and demanding a new trial.

Paul Glen Ailport was convicted in that new trial Tuesday of attempted deliberate homicide and weapon use following a swift two-day proceeding in Lake County District Court. The jury reached their unanimous guilty verdict in just 38 minutes of deliberation, according to court documents.

The conviction comes after Ailport had already been sentenced to 110 years in prison under a plea agreement reached in December 2024. 

However, when Judge John W. Larson tacked on a 10-year weapons enhancement, that veered away from the original deal and opened the door for Ailport to withdraw his plea and request a trial.

"It just opened Pandora's box to withdraw a guilty plea and go to the jury trial, which the judge kind of warned, implied, you know, you could do that, but he wouldn't suggest it," explained Ron Schiele, Ailport's former neighbor who had his house firebombed.

Ailport now faces conviction on multiple charges rather than the single count under his original plea agreement. That means he could get decades more than the 110 years he got with that withdrawn plea deal.

Swift Justice

The trial began May 12 with jury selection from a large pool of prospective jurors, and testimony started that afternoon. 

It continued through the next morning, with prosecutors Chief Deputy County Attorney Brendan McQuillan and Deputy County Attorney Lori Adams calling multiple witnesses, including law enforcement officers, medical professionals and others connected to the case.

Defense attorney Carl Jensen raised several objections throughout the trial, including concerns about certain subjects like fireworks and whether his client was delusional. Mental health considerations were discussed, though Ailport ultimately testified in his own defense.

Ailport testified that his steering wheel had locked up, attempting to explain how his flaming truck ended up crashing into his neighbor's home. 

Prosecutor McQuillan was quick to dismantle this defense, pointing out that Ailport had to maneuver around two parked cars and between two trees, then drive about 186 yards before ramming into the residence.

Along the way, as seen in video captured by a security camera, fireworks blasted from Ailport’s truck. 

The evidence presented painted a picture of a deliberate attack rather than mechanical failure. 

According to court records, at about 9:20 a.m. on Nov. 10, 2023, emergency dispatchers received reports of a truck "crashing into a residence." The vehicle was engulfed in flames with the driver slumped over inside.

Witnesses indicated that Ailport had previously threatened to drive his truck into his neighbor's home on Paper Trail Road. One neighbor said Ailport had even asked which bedroom was occupied by a certain family member.

After closing arguments Tuesday afternoon, the case was submitted to the jury at 2:52 p.m. The panel returned with a verdict at 3:35 p.m.

"I mean, they weren't in there 25 minutes and 10 of it was to figure out who the foreman was," Schiele said of the rapid deliberation. "So it was like, very, very quick. I think we did a super great job, showing all the facts.”

The Attack

The investigation revealed the devastating nature of Ailport's assault. 

He had tied a gas can to a metal bar with wire and black tape, creating a makeshift harpoon. When the truck hit the north side of the Schiele home, a steel beam about 13.5 feet long and weighing about 300 pounds went "hurtling" through a bathroom wall, narrowly missing the head of 19-year-old Anna Schiele, who was about to step into the shower.

The investigation documented "severe fire damage to the northern wall and siding" of the residence. 

A 228-shot "triple cannon" firework that had fallen out of the truck and ignited was also discovered, with burn marks in the grass documenting the exploding fireworks.

Ron Schiele pulled Ailport from the burning truck, leaving behind Ailport’s two prosthetic legs that remained trapped under the damaged interior. Ailport had burns on his back, shoulders, right arm and hand, requiring transport to a burn unit in Utah for treatment.

"The defendant stated that they should have let him die in the fire," according to court documents.

Escalating Sentence?

With convictions now on multiple charges, Schiele predicts Ailport will face far more time than his original 110-year sentence.

"My prediction is going to be 140 to 160 years. No parole," Schiele said. "That's what I'm going forward to judge, 110 on one count, right. It could be. It could be more than that."

The same judge who was willing to impose 110 years on a single count will now sentence Ailport on multiple charges, including arson and criminal mischief, in addition to the attempted deliberate homicide and weapons enhancement.

"Well, because now you're going to get everything,” Schiele said. “You know, you're going to get criminal mischief, you're going to get arson, you're going to get the full sentencing of the weapons enhancement, which I heard from the sheriff there that could be 100 years by itself.”

The weapons enhancement alone could potentially carry a 100-year sentence, according to what Schiele heard from law enforcement.

Judge Larson has moved up the sentencing by a month to June 12. 

"I'm hoping that this is the last time we have to say his name and that he can go away to a place for a very long time," Schiele said.

David Madison can be reached at david@cowboystatedaily.com.