Former Missoula ER doctor returns to court on sexual assault charges

Tyler Hurst, a former emergency room doctor in Missoula, appeared in District Court on Thursday facing serious allegations of sexual assault. During the status conference, both the prosecution and defense provided updates as they prepare for a trial tentatively scheduled for February. Hurst is charged with four counts of felony sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of sexual assault, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

The allegations against Hurst involve multiple women who claim he raped or sexually assaulted them while they were patients at Community Medical Center. Reports suggest he is accused of assaulting at least 15 patients in the emergency room between 2017 and late 2023, raising significant concerns about patient safety and care.

At Thursday's hearing, discussions included defense strategies to request information on potential witnesses and alleged victims. Judge Shane Vannatta approved the defense's plans for subpoenas and agreed to a prosecution request to protect the sensitive information of the accusers, ensuring that addresses and other personal details remain undisclosed to Hurst.

Hurst participated in the court hearing via Zoom, with his camera off—a decision previously approved by the court due to the high-profile nature of the case. The decision aims to protect his identity given the intense public interest surrounding the allegations.

The string of alleged assaults gained further visibility earlier this year in a U.S. Senate report investigating the effects of private equity on U.S. healthcare, highlighting the seriousness of these allegations within the broader context of patient care in the system. MTN will continue to closely monitor the developments in this case as it unfolds.