Man charged with assault

Joshua Junior Peterson, 35, was charged Monday with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon after a Saturday morning call in which a woman was reported beaten with a baseball bat.

Tracee Peterson, Joshua’s wife, 38, was in critical condition in a Kalispell hospital, according to Troy Police Chief Bob McLeod.

“We have been working on this case non-stop since that call,” McLeod said.

McLeod indicated that the beating appeared to have occurred shortly before his department received the call.

The incident occurred at 616 N. 3rd St. In court Monday, Peterson said he owned the property when asked if he could afford an attorney for his defense.

Both of the charges against Peterson carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $50,000 fine. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Oct. 15 in District Court.

The couple has a history of domestic dispute. In 2003, Joshua Peterson was charged with felonious criminal endangerment and misdemeanor partner-family member assault.

According to court documents, on April 4, 2003, Joshua, Tracee and their children were returning home to Troy when the couple began arguing. Upon returning home, Joshua pushed Tracee’s face into a dryer and choked her in front of their children.

A December 2003 plea agreement led to the felony charge being dismissed without prejudice. But Peterson was found guilty of misdemeanor partner-family assault.

Peterson was sentenced to one year in prison with all but 10 days suspended.

Tara Craig, Tracee Peterson’s former co-worker at Torgy’s Casino & Grill, recalls hearing Tracee arguing on the phone with her husband a couple weeks ago.

“She said to him, ‘You already threatened to kill me, what else do you want me to do,’” Craig said. “They were discussing lawyers and restraining orders.”

Tracee’s father, Ed Hanson, declined comment, saying he was so advised by authorities.

Speaking via video conference in Justice Jay Sheffield’s court, Peterson asked if he would be able to see his children. He was told he would have to discuss the matter with his attorney.

Bond was set at $500,000.