Assault charges leveled in beating incident

Bigfork resident, Curtis Chapman, 20, pleaded not guilty to felony charges of aggravated assault and criminal endangerment in Flathead District Court on Sept. 6.

Chapman was arrested on Aug. 19 after his wife ran into Marina Cay early that morning covered in blood and screaming for help. Chapman allegedly punched her and screamed at her while she drove before putting his foot over hers on the gas pedal and forcing the truck into a ditch off Montana 82.

A court document further alleges that she walked away from the truck but then returned for her phone, at which point he “snuck up behind her, and began violently striking her in the face, neck, and head and threw her back into the truck.” He is also alleged to have tried to strangle her, chased her and slammed her to the ground, nearly knocking her out.

She reportedly ended up back in the truck with Chapman — who allegedly said he was going to drive them off a bridge — but she eventually escaped and ran to the Marina Cay property where a security guard called police.

A Flathead County Sheriff’s Office deputy who responded to the scene later described her as visibly trembling and in shock.

Chapman was originally charged with attempted and deliberate homicide before it was reduced to the pair of felonies he now faces.

During the hearing, Chapman was again released from jail. He had initially posted a $40,000 bond, but was later arrested on a bench warrant with a $70,000 bond. District Judge Katherine Curtis ordered he be released on his original bond he already posted, with the same conditions set on his release.

If convicted of both charges, he faces between two and 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.

His next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 5.