Kalispell man pleads not guilty to assault

One of two men charged after their alleged brutal attack on another man has pleaded not guilty to felony aggravated assault.

Larry Espinosa, 30, of Kalispell entered his plea Aug. 29 in Flathead District Court.

According to a court document, the victim’s wife contacted the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office after a pair of men giving them a ride home from Del’s Bar pulled her husband out of the car and violently assaulted him.

The woman reportedly identified the attackers as Espinosa and Timothy McCarroll. She said they stopped near Bierney Creek Road and Wood Acres Drive and pulled him out.

The court document claims they began hitting and kicking the victim until he lost consciousness, then continued assaulting him, only stopping when his wife covered his body with her own.

At the hospital, it was found that the victim had suffered a broken nose, broken jaw, bruising and swelling. He had to undergo surgery to have a metal plate installed in his chin and his jaw wired shut. The document claims doctors are concerned he may also suffer vision loss and permanent headaches.

After being apprehended, Espinosa allegedly admitted to deputies that he and McCarroll had assaulted the man due to their belief that he had been in a physical fight with the woman. She denied any fight had taken place with her husband.

If convicted, Espinosa faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. His next hearing is set for Oct. 16.

An arraignment has not yet been scheduled for McCarroll, who also is charged with a single count of felony aggravated assault.

Reporter Jesse Davis may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at jdavis@dailyinterlake.com.