Pillow Smothering Attack Gets Missoula Man a Felony Charge
Missoula police have a man in custody on a felony charge for an attack involving a pillow.
"Officers were called to the report of a disturbance in the 1500 block of Harrison Street. They encountered a 57-year-old female who reported that she had been lying down, taking a nap," said Missoula Police Public Information Officer Travis Welsh. "When she awoke, she got into an argument with her 62-year-old husband and while she was still lying on the couch, at one point, he put a pillow over her face and actually restricted her breathing."
Welsh says the woman was able to yell and break free during the pillow attack and that she was able to call for help.
"She was able to call 911 herself and the officers ended up taking the male into custody for Aggravated Partner/ Family Member Assault, because of the attempt to restrict breathing with the pillow," Welsh said. "He's identified as 62-year-old Robert Burt."
Many PFMA cases become felonies in Missoula because they are a fourth or subsequent offense, but that is not what happened here. Burt was charged with aggravated assault because of the severe nature of the attack.