Man pleads not guilty to rape

A Kalispell man accused of forcing a woman into some woods and raping her pleaded not guilty Thursday in Flathead County District Court.

Spurlin Martin, 21, is charged with one count of sexual intercourse without consent, according to the Flathead County Attorney's Office.

Martin is still being held in the Flathead County Detention Center on $100,000 bail.

According to police, a 48-year-old woman was walking down Woodland Park Drive to a friend's house when Martin allegedly accosted her July 14.

Martin allegedly grabbed the woman, dragging her off the road and into Woodland Park, police said. He then raped her behind trees there, Kalispell Police Det. Sgt. Scott Warnell said.

After the alleged assault, the victim was able to get away and call for help. She was assisted by a passerby who called 911 at 4 a.m.

She was taken to Kalispell Regional Medical Center, where she was treated and released, police said.

The woman told police she did not know her attacker, but she was able to give police a description, which led to Martin's arrest only an hour later.

Officers were still securing the crime scene when they noticed a man who fit the suspect's description leave the Scoreboard Pub. The man, identified as Martin, was held as a person of interest.

The victim later positively identified him as her attacker, police said.

After the alleged attack, Martin tried to go into the pub, which was closed at the time, police said. He intended to call a taxi, police said. He used the phone and stayed out of sight during the police's initial investigation.

As Martin was leaving the pub and walking to the taxi, police noticed his similarity to the newly circulated description and decided to questioned him.

Police ultimately arrested Martin about 500 feet from the scene of the crime. Police said they have enough evidence to perform a DNA test.

"We have that available if we need it," Warnell said.

If convicted, Martin could face up to life in prison and a $50,000 fine.

Martin's trial is scheduled to begin in the Oct. 9 jury term.

Reporter Nicholas Ledden can be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at nledden@dailyinterlake.com