SPOKANE, Wash. — A Spokane man now faces an assault charge for an alleged strangling that bears eerie resemblance to a crime he was convicted of two years ago.
Michael Trout, 27, is being held on $40,000 bond for the assault charge.
Spokane Police say it happened Thursday afternoon around 12:15 in the city's university district.
A woman reported she'd been attacked while walking to her car near 400 East Spokane Falls Boulevard.
According to the victim, she noticed a man in a fluorescent jacket, whom she assumed was a worker, as she approached her car. The man made eye contact and smiled at her before allegedly attacking her from behind. He grabbed her and attempted to strangle her, forcing her to the ground, SPD reports.
“Scratched her, strangled her, and threw her to the floor and covered her mouth," the prosecutor said Friday in court.
The woman fought back, scratching the man’s face and biting his hand, scaring him off.
“There is a remarkable similarity between this one and the last one," said Spokane County Court Commissioner Tony Rugel.
In 2022, Trout was charged with assault for allegedly tackling and strangling a woman on the Centennial Trail.
Court records in that case show he ran up behind her as she walked, held a hand over her mouth and put his hands on her neck. Commissioner Rugel said it showed a pattern, one he was concerned about.
SPD was able to track down Trout to his home less than 90 minutes after Thursday's alleged attack because they said he dropped a folder at the scene. Inside, documents with his name and social security number.
"This new offense occurred five months after getting off DOC supervision," the prosecutor said.
A family member of Trout told the court they believe he needs 24/7 supervision if he's found to be guilty of the crime. They said he has autism and needs help.
Learn more about Trout's previous arrest in the video below: