45 year-old Carl Tanner appeared in Missoula Justice Court on Tuesday, charged with felony assault, kidnapping and partner or family member assault after allegedly strangling his wife and forcing her to jump out a second-story window to escape him.

According to court documents, the incident occurred on June 1 at the couple's home on Fairview Avenue. Deputy Missoula County Attorney Selene Koepke asked Judge Karen Orzech that Tanner be held on substantial bail.

"The state requests a bail of $50,000 for several reasons, your honor," Koepke said. "The state has learned that the defendant has been abusing the victim for years. This event was particularly egregious because of the fact that the defendant strangled her and then threatened to kill her. The victim believed that she was going to die."

"The defendant punched the victim, pushed her face into the mattress to the point where she believed she was going to pass out. The defendant then took her phone and her purse and would not allow her to leave the residence and again threatened to kill her if she called the police. Then he told the victim that she would have to jump out a second story window if she wanted to leave the house The victim then jumped out of the second story window to escape. Then, the defendant attempted to blame the victim and called 9-1-1 after she left. We believe the seriousness of this event necessitates a high bail, your honor."

As Judge Orzech was setting bail at $50,000, a woman in the gallery stood and attempted to address the court. The defendant's ex-wife wanted to inform the judge that the victim was lying about the charges. When Judge Orzech asked her to be silent, the woman began to laugh, at which point the judge told her to be quiet or face jail time, in that justice court was not the venue for such comments.

Tanner was remanded to the jail on $50,000 bail. His next court appearance is June 16.

 

 

 

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