Jury returns split verdict in Missoula attempted rape trial

Sam Wilson

A Missoula jury returned a split verdict on Friday night in the trial of a former University of Montana law school student charged with attempted rape and other crimes.

Cole Larson Levine, 25, who has maintained his innocence since being charged in Missoula County District Court with three felony charges related to a report of a downtown sexual assault in August 2022, was found not guilty of attempted sexual intercourse without consent but guilty on four other charges.

The jury found Levine guilty of aggravated assault and destruction or tampering with a communication device, plus bail jumping after he bonded out of jail and was subsequently arrested in Canada. He had also been charged with attempted kidnapping but was found guilty on a lesser offense of unlawful restraint.

Levine’s sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 22.

People are also reading…

The state’s case, prosecuted by Bill Haney and Brittany Williams with the Missoula County Attorney’s Office, lasted two and a half days. Prosecutors called law enforcement officials who responded to and investigated the alleged assault, as well as expert witnesses, Levine’s accuser and several other people who were present at the time.

Levine’s

View Source