At about 9 o'clock. on Saturday night, two passersby in the 3700 block of Russell Street saw a woman apparently being beaten by a man. They stopped to render assistance and the alleged assailant fled the scene.
Judge Karen Orzech took the unusual step of increasing, and even doubling bail amounts requested by the state on three defendants who appeared via video from the Missoula County Jail on Monday.
20 year-old Gage Stroop was charged on Friday in Missoula Justice Court with beating and strangling his girlfriend so severely, she thought he was going to kill her.
Missoula law enforcement has seen an increase in the number of domestic violence and assault cases that include choking or strangulation, a trend that troubles experts.
An Oklahoma man, 35 year-old Robert Thomas, was charged on Thursday with aggravated burglary, partner or family member assault and criminal possession of dangerous drugs after allegedly beating and strangling is ex-wife, beating up her boyfriend and possessing marijuana upon his arrest.