Joshua Peterson free on bond

Joshua Junior Peterson has been free on $500,000 bond since Thursday. He is charged with attempted deliberate homicide, aggravated assault and assault with a weapon after allegedly beating his wife with a baseball bat.

Peterson’s conditions of release do not allow him to contact his wife, Tracee Peterson, or potential named witnesses, which include his in-laws and his oldest child.

An order of protection filed while Joshua Peterson was in jail will prevent him from seeing his other four children. According to the order, Peterson may not go within 500 feet of his in-laws’ residence, where his children are staying, or within 500 feet of any of the children’s schools.

Ed Hanson, Tracee’s father, is disappointed with the conditions of release.

disappointed with the conditions of release.

“I know Josh owns guns,” Hanson said. “And there is nothing in there about his gun ownership. That’s interesting considering he has been charged with assault with a weapon.”

Hanson notes that while Peterson may not enter a bar and have a drink, he is free to go hunting.

Troy Chief of Police Bob McLeod said he was unsure of Joshua Peterson’s whereabouts on Monday morning. He also said he was unlikely to divulge such information for fear that a vigilante may look to perform street justice.

If Peterson is in town, McLeod said he would protect Peterson like anyone else.

“In law enforcement it’s my job to protect alleged victims and him as well,” McLeod said.

McLeod said his staff has not conducted extra surveillance for either the Hanson family or Joshua Peterson.