A man accused of strangling and trying to gouge the eyes of another man in Woodland Park in late September pleaded not guilty to a felony aggravated assault charge.  

Appearing before Judge Robert Allison in Flathead County District Court on Oct. 17, Steven Carlisle Snow, 39, said he had not read the charge filed against him, but had a general understanding of it. Defense attorney Liam Gallagher assured Allison that the two had discussed the allegations several times before entering a not guilty plea. 

Allison set an omnibus hearing in the case for March 19 with a pretrial conference to follow on April 16. Snow remains in the county jail with bail set at $50,000. 

Kalispell Police officers arrested Snow after responding to a reported disturbance in Woodland Park about 10:30 a.m., Sept. 22, according to court documents. Witnesses, including the victim, accused Snow of being the aggressor. He allegedly called the victim a child molester before shoving him onto a picnic table. Snow began punching him in the face and then strangling him, court documents said.  

Snow allegedly moved his hands up from the victim's neck and tried to gouge out his eyes using his thumbs. The victim told investigators it felt like Snow "was trying to kill [him]," court document said.  

Two onlookers told officers that they believed Snow was trying to kill the victim, with one saying she believed she was about to witness a murder, according to court documents.  

Investigators reported that the victim sported red marks on his neck consistent with strangulation. He also suffered a cut to his cheek and jawline, court documents said. His eyes were red and encircled with scratches, consistent with an attempt to gouge them, authorities reported.  

En route to the county jail, Snow allegedly threatened the arresting officers, telling one that he planned to punch him in the face.  

Aggravated assault carries a maximum punishment of up to 20 years in Montana State Prison and a $50,000 fine. 

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or [email protected].