Miller sentenced for felony strangulation
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A Lake County man has been committed to the Montana Department of Corrections for five years with two years suspended for attempting to strangle the mother of his children. District Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher handed down the sentence to Matthew Tyler Miller, 31, in District Court at Polson on April 30.
Miller pleaded guilty to felony strangulation of a partner or family member during a court hearing on Jan. 23 without the benefit of a plea agreement. Despite the absence of a plea agreement, the state still dismissed one misdemeanor count of partner or family member assault.
According to court records, on Oct. 25, 2019, the victim told investigators that Miller punched her “numerous times and drug her around the house.” She said she ran to a neighbor’s house and called her sister for help. She also stated that Miller almost caused her to pass out while choking her on Oct. 18. She said that Miller has trained in mixed martial arts, rendering her defenseless.
The deputy who took the victim’s statement documented injuries to the victim consistent with her story, such as black eyes, bruising on her ear and upper arms, and scabs and scratches on her forehead.
Judge Christopher gave Miller credit for 83 days of jail time already served. Miller will be screened by the DOC for any appropriate treatment programs, including a 40-hour batterers’ intervention program.
