Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On May 2, 2023, Missoula Police Department Officers were dispatched to a reported assault near the Madison Street Bridge. They contacted John Doe who stated he was assaulted by three individuals. One of them was later identified as 55-year-old Jay Moyle. Doe gave a description of the individuals and said he immediately left the area after a male brandished a knife. 

Doe left his items, including a green backpack, a red backpack, and a fly-fishing rod in a blue case. Officers were unable to locate the individuals involved and told Doe to call 911 if he had any further information. A short while later, 911 received a call from Doe. Doe said that he found his property and was assaulted again. 

Doe Explains What Happened

MPD officers arrived on the scene and observed Doe with a green backpack and a blue case. Doe advised he went back to the area where the first assault occurred, and that Moyle was there alone. Doe attempted to get his property when the Moyle stated, “you come and get your fishing pole I’ll f*****g kill you” and “get the f**k out of here.” After the statements were made, Moyle obtained a knife from Doe’s red backpack. According to court documents, Moyle told Doe that he would “kill him under the bridge.” 

Doe believed Moyle would stab him and left his red backpack behind. Doe advised he feared for his life and left quickly. The knife was described as a fixed blade double-edged knife with a black handle.  

Officers Locate the Three Individuals

Officers located Moyle and the two other individuals. An officer observed a red backpack on the ground where the individuals were found. All three denied ownership of the red backpack. An officer opened the small front pocket of the backpack and located a fixed blade double-edged knife with a black handle. 

Moyle was arrested and he questioned why. When the officer mentioned a knife, Moyle stated “it[s] not my knife, it’s the dudes that called the cop.” The officer did not tell Moyle where the knife was located or who it belonged to prior to this statement. 

Officers also spoke to the other two individuals. One was highly intoxicated, and communication was difficult. The second individual advised that the argument was “petty talk”, and no threats were made. They further advised a knife was not brandished and that Moyle did not chase Doe. 

Inconsistent Statement

Throughout the conversation, the officer observed that the individual was not forthcoming about what happened. When confronted with inconsistencies, the individual advised that he did not want to really tell officers the truth about what happened and that there was more to the story than he initially said.  

The individual did eventually confirm that Moyle chased Doe away. The individual further agreed that Moyle told Doe he was “lucky”, again denying that Moyle made a comment about killing Doe. However, the individual advised that he did not really hear what had happened between Doe and Moyle. He said that he did not want anyone to go to jail. 

Moyle is currently being charged with felony assault with a weapon.  

The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.

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