Kalispell man pleads not guilty to assault

A 27-year-old Kalispell man pleaded not guilty Thursday in Flathead District Court to a felony charge of aggravated assault.

Steven Snow is alleged to have assaulted a man outside a home on Parliament Drive in Evergreen.

According to court documents, the man, a female friend and Snow’s girlfriend visited Snow on Oct. 23, 2011, after Snow had been making suicidal threats. When the three tried to leave, Snow reportedly became infuriated that his girlfriend was leaving with them and punched the man in the face, knocking him down.

Snow then allegedly kicked him hard in the groin and continued punching him. His uncle took him back inside while the victim and the two women left.

The victim eventually was taken to the hospital, where he had to undergo surgery to repair a punctured bowel caused by the assault. He spent almost a week in the hospital after the surgery.

If convicted, Snow faces up to 20 years in jail and a fine of up to $50,000.

He is currently being held in the Flathead County Detention Center, where his bond is set at $40,000.

His next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 17.