Cox sentenced for sexual assault of 3-year-old girl
courtesy photo
Christopher Cox
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
POLSON – A 29-year-old Ronan man was sentenced last week to 20 years in the Montana State Prison with 15 suspended for sexual assault of a three-year-old girl.
Christopher Cox initially said he saw a 13-year-old committing the crime in November 2015, and later said he wasn’t sure but eventually confessed, according to a court document.
Judge Kim Christopher had earlier rejected a plea agreement that called for a six-year sentence with two years suspended.
Three people related to the victim gave emotional victim’s statements prior to sentencing.
The effect on the girl’s mother and father was devastating, the girl’s great aunt said, noting the girl was touched inappropriately. She added that the victim later died in a car crash.
The girl’s maternal grandfather said she died as a result of “undue and unnecessary travel” while on the way to a children’s sexual assault/abuse treatment center in Missoula two days after the sexual assault.
The grandfather said he told the girl’s parents to report the crime, but Christopher said her death wasn’t his fault. He agreed, but said it wasn’t fair.
“She was a great little girl. It’s really hard to talk about it,” he said. “Tell your kids you love ‘em and hug ‘em every day.”
The man said his daughter suffered 10 broken ribs, a broken neck and a shattered leg below the knee as a result of the crash that claimed his granddaughter’s life. His daughter was told that she would never walk again, but has overcome her injuries, he said.
The girl’s mother said she wanted Cox punished to the “full extent” but added that she wants him to get all the help he can get.
Defense attorney Ben Darrow said competency was an issue for his client and said Cox was hearing voices. Cox, who decided to keep his guilty plea and not go to trial in spite of Christopher rejecting the plea agreement, said he was sorry for what he did.
“This is a horrendous set of circumstances,” Christopher said. “This is one of the most tragic cases ... What happened (the girl’s death) isn’t a chargeable offense.”
She told Cox that the court wasn’t sentencing him for the girl’s death.
She said Cox wouldn’t be eligible for parole until he completes sexual offender programming.
Sexual assault carries a penalty of four years to life in prison.
