State v. T. Ritesman

Justice Beth Baker delivered the Opinion of the Court.

¶ 1 The State charged Timothy Ritesman with aggravated assault after he allegedly strangled Amy Windmueller. The State also charged him with violating a no-contact order, based on his failure to comply with a condition of release in a two-week-old partner or family member assault (PFMA) case involving Windmueller. A Missoula County jury convicted Ritesman of both offenses. Ritesman appeals, arguing that the prosecutor deprived him of a fair trial when she told the jury in closing argument that its "job" was to ensure Windmueller's safety…