Coram man back behind bars after missing court appearance in assault case

A man already facing a felony charge in Flathead County District Court saw prosecutors open a second case against him after skipping out on a court appearance last month.  

Arraigned on one count of assault with a weapon before Judge Paul Sullivan on May 29, Russell Loren Tolbert, 38, of Coram entered a not guilty plea and was directed to return to court on Sept. 17 for a pretrial conference. When Tolbert failed to show up last month, Sullivan issued a bench warrant for his arrest.  

Prosecutors filed the felony bail jumping charge on Sept. 22.  

Authorities booked Tolbert back into the county jail on Sept. 27. He pleaded not guilty to the bail jumping charge before Sullivan on Oct. 2 and remains behind bars with bond set at $50,000. A pretrial conference in that case is set for Feb. 25.  

Tolbert earned the assault with a weapon charge after allegedly attacking a man with a metal pipe in Coram on May 12. Flathead County Sheriff's Office deputies arrived at a Bear Street home about 3:51 p.m. and found a man suffering wounds to his leg and chest, according to court documents.  

While he was hospitalized before giving investigators a statement, another individual at the scene indicated the victim had identified Tolbert as the attacker, court documents said.  

Deputies, with help from a K9 unit, found Tolbert hiding near railroad tracks. He allegedly said he found the victim irritating and recounted the two fighting that day.  

He accused the victim of attacking him with a handsaw, but investigators found no marks or injuries on Tolbert, according to court documents.  

Assault with a weapon is punishable by up to 20 years in Montana State Prison and a $50,000 fine. 

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or dperkins@dailyinterlake.com.