NEWS

Trial begins for man accused of attempted rape

The Associated Press

BOZEMAN (AP) – The trial has begun for a man who escaped from police custody after being arrested for trying to rape a woman in February 2014.

The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports that the trial for Kevin Briggs began Monday with jury selection. Briggs faces several felony counts, including attempted sexual intercourse without consent and assault on a peace officer. He pleaded not guilty to the charges in March 2014.

Briggs is accused of drugging, assaulting and trying to rape a woman.

Prosecutors allege that during his arrest, he punched a Bozeman police officer and later escaped police custody. The search for Briggs resulted in a region-wide manhunt that ended nearly three weeks later when Briggs was apprehended in Portland, Ore.

Briggs remains in the Gallatin County Jail on $1 million bail.