Mission man pleads not guilty to choking wife

A St. Ignatius man is accused of choking his wife after she accused him of doing drugs. Dalton Daniel Hall, 26, entered a plea of not guilty in District Court at Polson Oct. 10 to felony strangulation of a partner or family member.

According to court records, on Sept. 30 a woman identified by the initials K.H. called law enforcement to report being the victim of a domestic disturbance. An officer spoke with K.H., who stated that she had confronted Hall about doing drugs. She said that turned into a verbal argument.

Hall allegedly grabbed her by the throat with his hands. The responding officer observed marks on K. H.’s neck and face consistent with her story.

She indicated Hall has done this to her four or five other times, and on one occasion she indicated that Hall picked her up off the ground by her neck. She stated that she and Hall married last May.

A request by Hall to be released on his own-recognizance was denied by Judge John A. Mercer, after prosecutor Brendan McQuillan objected, arguing that the assault occurred in front of their child and that he presents a flight risk.

Judge Mercer set the trial date for Feb. 24. Hall remains in custody with bail set at $20,000.