Man Pleads Not Guilty In Fatal Pub Stabbing -- Out-Of-Towner Killed In Front Of Wife, Pals

KENT - A man who allegedly blew kisses at the family of a man he had just stabbed to death, today pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and first-degree assault in King County Superior Court.

According to charging documents, Salvator Montoya, 20, a Seattle boat builder, was at the Yardarm Pub, 812 S. 230th St., Des Moines, about 1 a.m. Aug. 17 when a fight broke out.

Brian Hart, 25, and his wife, Amy, had come from Lake Oswego, Ore., to attend a family get-together and wedding. After the wedding, the Harts and old high-school friends went to the Yardarm for a beer and to play pool.

Then the following took place, according to charging documents:

Two women in the party, Dusti Pigg and Brenda Teuber, were standing near the pub's front door when two men approached and asked them to another party. The women refused and the men backed away.

Brian Hart was walking toward the women when Montoya stepped in his path, and appeared to be angry.

Either Montoya or his friend pushed Hart in the chest; Hart's friends came to his aid and a fight broke out.

Montoya is accused of stabbing Hart in the left eye, chest and thigh during the fight.

The documents also say Montoya stabbed bartender Peter M. Schalow, who was trying to break up the fight.

Just as Montoya and his friends were leaving, Des Moines police arrived and arrested him. As he was in the patrol car watching paramedics trying to revive Hart, witnesses said he blew kisses to Hart's friends and family who were in the parking lot.

Hart died on the pub's floor a short time later. Schalow was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center and is expected to recover.

Prosecutors are asking that Montoya's bail be set at $500,000 bail. A hearing has not yet been scheduled.

Nancy Bartley's phone message number is 253-946-3978. Her e-mail address is: nbar-new@seatimes.com