LISTEN – $100,000 Bond For Man Who Allegedly Twice Strangled Pregnant Girlfriend
33 year-old Daniel Joseph Mitchell is being held on $100,000 bond for allegedly twice strangling his pregnant girlfriend.
Deputy Missoula County Attorney Selene Koepke told Judge Karen Orzech that the high bail is necessary due to the severe injuries allegedly inflicted upon the victim.
"Reports are indicating, and we are awaiting confirmation from the doctor who treated the victim, that there were multiple tracheal rings that were crushed in her esophagus due to strangulation," Koepke said. "The victim presented to the ER on February 19 describing a strangulation event that this defendant inflicted upon her."
Judge Orzech asked if there were any previous incidents of violent behavior.
"The defendant was charged with an aggravated assault PFMA second for a similar incident against his ex-wife," she continued. "The defendant strangled her in front of her kids on August 15th, 2015. The victim in this case was present for the aftermath of that incident. That case was just dismissed two days before this incident occurred. Your honor, obviously he is a danger to the victim and he's been a danger to past partners. The injuries to the victim in this case warrants a very high bail."
Judge Orzech set bail at $100,000 and remanded Mitchell back to the Missoula County Jail.