32 year-old Kenneth Adams appeared in Missoula Justice Court on Thursday, charged with felony aggravated assault after allegedly beating and strangling his girlfriend until she thought she was going to die.

Court records indicate that Adams had been drinking heavily when an argument ensued between the victim, Jane Doe, and the defendant. He choked the victim and struck her in the face until she blacked out. A neighbor had called police when she heard the argument, and when they arrived. they entered the apartment and found Adams assaulting the victim. They ordered him to stop and he complied.

There were three young children in the apartment that witnessed the beating.

Adams was transported to St. Patrick Hospital after he smashed his head against the plastic partition in the police car on the way to the jail, and was verbally abusive to the staff.

Deputy Missoula County Attorney Brittany Santorno asked Judge Marie Anderson for $50,000 bail.

"This defendant strangled his victim to the point of unconsciousness and punched her several times in the face," Santorno said. "Her three young children were present at the time. The victim stated that she thought she would have died had the police not responded while the assault was in progress.In addition to his criminal history which includes a Partner or family member assault, we are asking for alcohol monitoring, as he BAC was .345 at the time of this offense."

Judge Anderson set bail at $50,000 and ordered Adams to appear again on September 8.

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