Assault suspect pleads innocent

The Daily Inter Lake

A Kila-area man has pleaded innocent to choking his now-estranged spouse during a domestic disturbance.

During his arraignment Thursday in Flathead County District Court, Thomas Lee Zink, 41, entered a not guilty plea to felony aggravated assault.

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.

Zink, who is being held in the Flathead County Detention Center in lieu of $250,000 bail, is scheduled for trial in August.

If convicted, Zink could face up to 20 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.