Great Falls Area News

Rape trial begins in Great Falls

Posted: Jan 29, 2013 8:09 PM by Simone DeAlba - MTN News

GREAT FALLS - The trial is underway in the rape case against Great Falls resident Gregg Allen Zindell.

The alleged incident took place the night of Sept. 9, 2011.

The victim took the stand on Tuesday to detail the events of that evening, explaining to the jury she believed she had been drugged, making it difficult to fight off Zindell's alleged sexual advances.

Several witnesses including Zindell's brother and a nurse who performed the rape examination were called to testify.

The trial is scheduled to continue through the week, with a verdict possible by Friday.

Court documents state that in September, Zindell and the victim went to Zindell's apartment after the woman felt that she shouldn't drive because she had been drinking.

Zindell offered to let the the woman sleep in his bed and he said that he would sleep elsewhere.

The woman later told authorities that she woke up to find Zindell attempting to have sex with her. Zindell reportedly put his arm across the woman's throat and grabbed her wrists when she tried to get away.

Once Zindell appeared to fall asleep, the woman was able to leave the residence and go to Benefis hospital.

During a rape examination at the hospital, lacerations and abrasions were found on her that appeared to be consistent with her allegations.

When initially questioned, Zindell refused to give a statement; the court document states that Zindell later told a friend that he did have a sexual encounter with the woman, but said that it had been consensual.