In the autumn of 2015, the life of Mark Kirby, a 52-year-old Caucasian male, was tragically cut short in Billings, Montana. On October 10th, Kirby was fatally shot, an event that would lead to a lengthy legal process for his friend, Jose Cobos. The incident left a void in the lives of Kirby's family and the community where he was known as a dedicated family man and military veteran.
Mark Joseph Kirby was born on October 14, 1962. He served his country for 13 years in the Air Force, a period that included a prestigious two-year assignment with the Presidential Honor Guard. After his military service, he continued to support fellow veterans as the President and Founder of Montana Veterans Airlift Command, a charity providing free medical air transportation. At the time of his death, he was working as a Finance Manager at a local car dealership. He was a husband and a father to three children.
The man responsible for Kirby's death was his friend, 64-year-old Jose Cobos.
Initially, Cobos claimed he acted in self-defense, but his story later changed, stating he could not remember the events of that night. In the ensuing court case, Cobos, a Vietnam War veteran, had his PTSD considered as a mitigating factor. He ultimately pleaded guilty to negligent homicide.
Despite a plea agreement that might have spared him prison time in favor of a veteran's treatment court, a Yellowstone County District Court judge sentenced Cobos to ten years in Montana State Prison. The judge, in delivering the sentence, emphasized the immeasurable loss of an exceptional and valued member of the community, stating that such a loss could not go unpunished. Following his release, Cobos will be under supervision for an additional ten years. The motive for the shooting was never made clear during the legal proceedings.
