Former Missoula ER doctor returns to court on sexual assault charges

Tyler Hurst, a former emergency room doctor from Missoula, is facing serious allegations of sexually assaulting multiple patients. On Thursday, he appeared in District Court for a status conference where updates were provided by both the prosecution and defense as they prepare for a tentative trial set for February. Hurst has been charged with four counts of felony sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of sexual assault, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

The charges against Hurst stem from allegations by several women who reported that he raped or sexually assaulted them while they were patients at Community Medical Center. It is alleged that Hurst assaulted at least 15 patients in the emergency room during his tenure as a contracted physician from 2017 until late 2023.

During the hearing, the court addressed defense strategies, including plans to request information related to potential witnesses and alleged victims. Judge Shane Vannatta approved subpoenas and agreed to the prosecution’s request to keep certain sensitive information, such as the accusers' addresses, confidential from Hurst.

Hurst attended the hearing via Zoom with his camera off, a request that was previously granted to shield his identity due to the highly public nature of the case. The allegations against him were highlighted in a U.S. Senate report earlier this year, which investigated the effects of private equity-backed hospitals on healthcare and patient safety, particularly referencing the assaults at Community Medical Center.

MTN News will continue to monitor the ongoing developments in this case as it unfolds.