Missoula Man Receives Split Verdict in Rape and Assault Trial

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - A Missoula man, 25-year-old Cole Levine, received a split verdict on Friday after being charged with multiple felonies, including rape and kidnapping.

I spoke with Missoula County Attorney Matt Jennings on Tuesday about the split verdict.

County Attorney Matt Jennings Said Cole Levine Received a Split Verdict on Friday

“This was a really hard-fought trial involving Cole Levine,” began Jennings. “He was accused of attempted sexual intercourse without consent, kidnapping, aggravated assault, criminal destruction or tampering with a communication device, and bail jumping. We had a real dream team of prosecutors last week. We had Brittany Williams and Bill Haney prosecuting the case against Levine. It lasted all week. There were some really talented defense attorneys as well, and we had a little bit of a split verdict on Friday.”

Jennings broke down the charges and the verdicts.

Jennings Said Levine Still Faces Many Possible Years in Prison

“We had a not guilty on the attempted sexual intercourse without consent, guilty on a lesser included on the attempted kidnapping, which means the jury didn't convict him of the kidnapping, but they did convict him of an offense called unlawful restraint, and it's kind of a step down from kidnapping, but they did convict him of aggravated assault, which is violent felony, and the criminal destruction of the phone and bail jumping, and so ultimately, he did get convicted of two felonies,” he said. “One of those is a violent felony and one misdemeanor, and he has over 30 possible years of exposure on those two felony convictions.”

Jennings noted how far the justice system has come over the years when it comes to prosecuting sexual assault and other associated crimes.

“Even just a few decades ago, there were very few sexual offense cases that were charged because it was traumatizing to the victims, they were difficult to prove, and jurors didn't know what to do about it,” he said. “Instead, what we're seeing in our modern society is we've had a lot more reports of sexual violence, which you could view as something negative, because we have way more come through the door than we used to, but if you actually look at it in a positive way, it means that victims are more comfortable coming forward when something like this does happen.”

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

Jennings Said Levine's Sentencing is Set for October 22

Jennings said Levine remains in the Missoula County Detention Center.

“He still is in custody,” he said. “He's not actually entitled to bail anymore as a convicted felon, and he will remain there until sentencing unless there's some other motion or request of the court, but he will sit there until his sentencing date at this point.”

Jennings said Levine’s sentencing has been set for October 22.