Missoula Area News

Attempted murder charge filed in Missoula stabbing

Posted: Nov 13, 2012 7:33 PM by Irina Cates (Missoula)

Emmitt Hogsten of Missoula, accused of stabbing his wife several times Monday afternoon, appeared in Missoula Justice Court on Tuesday afternoon facing a charge of attempted murder.

Prosecutors say Hogsten attempted to choke and then stabbed his wife after she told him she wanted a divorce.

The incident happened just before 3 p.m. when the two were driving on Desmet Road and got into an argument.

Hogsten then pulled over, and investigators say that's when he held the woman down and stabbed her in the chest and neck.

Prosecutors say the woman thought he was going to keep stabbing her, but the knife broke.

She then got out of the pickup and went into a nearby business for help and Hogsten was arrested at the scene.

Deputy Missoula County Attorney Patricia Bower said, "The State is under the impression that he's a flight risk and that he will not leave this victim alone. There are at least six, seven stab wounds, including one slice across the neck."

Prosecutors asked for a $1 million bail, but the judge set it at $500,000.

Meanwhile, the woman is still at St. Patrick Hospital, where she's listed in fair condition.