Man Strangled Girlfriend for Three Days until She Escaped
A man who allegedly strangled his girlfriend multiple times over a three day period until she escaped through a window appeared in Missoula Justice Court on Wednesday to face charges.
Deputy Missoula County Attorney Meaghann Paddock related the details of the attack allegedly perpetrated by 32 year-old Jeremy Langley who was charged with felony strangulation and misdemeanor partner or family member assault.
“The state believes this defendant is a significant danger to the community,” said Paddock. “As set forth in the charging documents the defendant held the victim in her own home for three days and continuously assaulted her. She was ultimately able to escape by climbing out a window and running to a friend’s house to call 9-1-1. The victim has disclosed that the defendant had strangled her at least 10 separate times on the day she escaped, and strangled her more than that in the days preceding her escape, as well.”
According to the charging documents, when Missoula County Sheriff’s Deputies questioned the victim she reported that there were times when she could not breathe when he was strangling her and that other times she lost consciousness. The victim alleged that the defendant also slapped her across the face and stomped on her sternum. Deputies noticed that the victim’s voice was hoarse and she had red marks around her neck. They also observed petechiae around the victim’s eyelids.
Paddock asked Judge Alex Beal for $25,000 bail. After hearing that the defendant had no job and would be living with his parents outside Missoula, Beal set bail at $5,000 and remanded him back to the Missoula County Jail.
If released, he would be placed in Pretrial Supervision, be monitored for drugs and alcohol and have absolutely no contact with the victim.
His next court appearance was set for January 27.