Missoula Man Accused of Choking Landlord and Assaulting Wife [AUDIO]

A Missoula man, Howard Finerfrock, 45, accused of choking his landlord, assaulting his wife, and being verbally abusive to police officers appeared via video in Missoula Justice Court from the Missoula County Jail.

According to court documents, Finerfrock is charged with aggravated assault resulting in bodily injury, a felony, along with misdemeanor partner of family member assault and disorderly conduct, also a misdemeanor.

Court documents indicate that Missoula police responded to a trailer on Wyoming Street on Saturday, November 16, after receiving complaints about a physical disturbance between Finerfrock, his wife Ann, and their landlady Debra Kluesner. Finerfrock, who had been drinking, was being verbally abusive to his wife when Kluesner attempted to intervene, at which point Finerfrock allegedly choked her until she almost lost consciousness. When his wife attempted to stop him, he grabbed her by her hair and shoved her onto a sofa.

After his arrest, Finerfrock, who was already on probation for a previous felony conviction, was verbally abusive to police officers, which led to the charge of disorderly conduct.

Senior Deputy County Attorney Patty Bower asked for high bail from Judge Karen Orzech.

"The state requests that bail be set in the amount of $50,000," Bower said. "This defendant is currently on felony probation for assault with a weapon, and there was violence in this case as well. So, due to his violent tendencies, I think that request is appropriate."

Judge Orzech agreed, saying the crimes he is accused of were "pretty heinous." She set bail at $50,000, and remanded Finerfrock back to jail. His next appearance will be December 4.

Senior Deputy County Attorney Patricia Bower: