Prosecutor Speaks Out About Rape Charge Against U Of M Football - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

MISSOULA, Mont. - Missoula County's attorney says the only way a suspended University of Montana football player will avoid trial on a rape charge is to plead guilty.

The Missoulian reports Fred Van Valkenburg made his comment Wednesday, a day after the defense attorney for 22-year-old Beau Donaldson told a judge he has had "multiple conferences" with the prosecutor's office and believed a potential resolution short of a trial was likely.

Donaldson is charged with sexual intercourse without consent. Court records say he acknowledged during a monitored telephone conversation in December that he assaulted a woman who was sleeping at his house in September 2010.

District Judge Karen Townsend set a trial date for Sept. 24.

 (Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)