Man accused of choking woman

The Daily Inter Lake

A Kila-area man accused of choking his now-estranged spouse during a domestic disturbance was arrested Monday evening at a Hoffman Draw residence.

Thomas Lee Zink, 41, is being held in the Flathead County Detention Center in lieu of $250,000 bail pending an initial appearance in Justice Court.

According to court documents, Zink used both hands to strangle the woman, who told investigators she thought she was going to die, on Nov. 26, 2008.

The alleged victim, who reported the assault in December, also told investigators Zink told her he had been trying to kill her and she felt the need to hide her children from him after the incident.

If convicted, Zink could face up to 20 years in prison and a $50,000 fine. He has yet to be arraigned.