University of Montana Player Not Likely to Face Trial on Rape Charge

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — The attorney for a suspended University of Montana football player says the rape charge against him is likely to be settled without a trial.

Attorney Milt Datsopoulos and 22-year-old Beau Donaldson of Missoula appeared Tuesday morning at a pretrial conference. District Judge Karen Townsend set a Sept. 26 trial date.

The Missoulian reports Datsopoulos told the judge he has had "multiple conferences" with Deputy Missoula County Attorney Shaun Donovan and that "a potential resolution short of a trial" is likely.

Donaldson faces a charge of sexual intercourse without consent.

Court records say he acknowledged in a monitored telephone conversation in December that he assaulted a woman sleeping at his house in September 2010.