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Murphy's rape charges get reduced to negligent endangerment

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A Polson apartment manager who was accused of raping a woman will spend no more than the one day in jail that he has already served. 

David Thomas Murphy, 64, was sentenced at District Court in Polson on Monday, Oct. 29, to the amended charges of misdemeanor negligent endangerment and felony tampering with witnesses and informants. He was initially facing two felony counts of sexual intercourse without consent and the tampering charge.

One count of sexual intercourse without consent was dismissed at sentencing as per the plea agreement. Judge Allison strongly encouraged Murphy to take part in counseling as the court is concerned Murphy “has issues and needs to take a very hard look at himself in the counseling.” Murphy was also ordered not to travel to the home of two of Murphy’s relatives and to forfeit the $5,000 intended for Jane Doe if she dropped the complaint.

District Judge Robert B. Allison of Flathead County presided over the case and sentenced Murphy in accordance with a plea agreement. The imposition of sentencing was deferred for six years on the endangerment charge, and Murphy was given credit for one day served on the tampering charge. 

According to court records, a woman identified as Jane Doe was hired by Murphy to clean a rental cabin in July 2017. Upon entering the cabin, she noticed the cabin had already been cleaned except for one bed that needed to be made. 

The woman alleges that Murphy proceeded to rape her on that bed. The following day, Murphy came to the apartment rented by Jane Doe in the Lake View Village apartments and offered her a taco salad, which she refused. Then he allegedly raped her again leaving the taco salad behind, saying his wife doesn’t like it. 

When confronted by law enforcement, Murphy admitted to having sex with Jane Doe but said it was consensual. Murphy was issued citations for two counts of sexual intercourse without consent.

Murphy is then alleged to have written a note to another tenant of the apartment complex trying to explain his actions and get that person to act as a courier for a $5,000 payment to Jane Doe if she would drop the complaint, thus the tampering charge.

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