Troy residents sentenced for roles in related incidents

The criminal cases of two Troy residents intersected last week in Lincoln County District Court.

Both were sentenced, one to time in a state facility, following plea agreements. They were previously in a long-term relationship, but addiction ruined it.

The first sentencing involved Helen Katherine Palmer. She initially faced four charges, including two for criminal endangerment, one for attempted deliberate homicide and one for failure to stop and remain at the scene of an accident involving death or serious bodily injury.

The charges followed a May 10 incident in which she ran over 54-year-old Peter Andrew Frederick while her two small children were inside the vehicle. Palmer pleaded guilty to an amended charge of assault with a weapon and one count of criminal endangerment.

At the time of the incident, Frederick was dealing with a felony charge against him for an April incident when he was accused of pointing an AR-15 rifle at multiple people on the streets of Troy.

Frederick took the witness stand during Palmer’s sentencing.

“Seven years is a long time, but they were great years until the last two,” Frederick said. “The last two were very difficult. They literally broke my heart. The meth, the lying, cheating and stealing hurt. You have two little kids that adore you and they ask about you every day.

“We are no longer, but you need to do what you need to do to be a parent to them again,” Frederick said.

Palmer spoke briefly, saying, “I’m willing to do whatever it takes to be a good mother.”

District Judge Matt Cuffe then sentenced Palmer to two 10-year terms, with five years suspended on each. They’ll be served concurrently. During the time of her incarceration and probation, Palmer is not permitted to use alcohol or illegal drugs. She did receive credit for serving 151 days in the county jail where she remains.

Palmer was arrested by Troy Police officer Mike Miller at about 6:17 p.m. Friday, May 10, at the intersection of Third Street and Yaak Avenue in Troy.

According to Miller’s report, he was called to the location for a reported pedestrian struck by a vehicle. Dispatch said a female driver allegedly hit the man and was standing over him. Miller reported that when he arrived the woman had left and he saw the man laying on the ground. The man said Palmer had hit him.

The man told officer Miller that Palmer told him to get out of the truck, told him to walk and then ran over him. He also said Palmer came over and allegedly told him she would kill him if he didn’t get up. The man said Palmer had been drinking and coming down off of meth.

Officer Miller said two children were in the truck at the time of the incident. Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Bryce Ford told officer Miller that there was a witness to the incident. Miller spoke to the witness who said, “the lady drove and smacked him and he went flying.”

The witness also said Palmer pulled off to the side of the road, came and stood over the man before speeding away.

After the man was transported from the scene by ambulance, officer Miler began to search for the woman.

At about 9:30 p.m., then-Troy Police Chief Katie Davis said security cameras may have caught the incident. When officer Miller viewed the video footage, he reported seeing a Dodge pickup pull over to the right hand side of the road on Yaak Avenue. He saw the man get out of the truck and began to walk away, but Palmer allegedly spun tires, causing dirt to fly before swerving and striking the man.

The officer reported that Palmer got out of the truck, stood over the man and left.

At about 10:42 p.m., officer Miller saw the truck at a residence. After calling for backup, county deputy Chris Pape went to the home. The officers saw Palmer asleep in the driver’s seat of the truck. After reading Palmer her rights, she spoke to officer Miller, according to the charging document.

Palmer allegedly told the officer the man asked to be let out of the truck. She said she was, “(profanity) off and when she went to leave, the man jumped in front of the truck.”

For Frederick, his sentence was a five-year suspended term. He also must refrain from the use of alcohol or illegal drugs. He received credit for serving 8 days in the county jail.

“I deeply regret what happened that day,” he said. “I was going through tough times and I would like to move forward from this.”

Frederick, 54, was first charged with two counts of assault with a weapon. He was jailed before posting a $25,000 bond.

According to charging documents, Frederick blamed his wife for being unfaithful to him as the reason for his actions.

A Troy police officer reported in a narrative that he was called to First Street April 1 because of a man pointing a rifle at people. When the officer spoke to one of the alleged victims, he was told Frederick had pointed the rifle at his son and at him. 

The man said Frederick lowered the rifle, shook hands with the son before chambering a round. Frederick allegedly said, “My wife has been cheating on me and you better be on my side.”

The man said Frederick pointed the rifle at his son and then walked away. The man also identified the accused.

The officer then worked with Troy Police Chief Katie Davis to positively identify the man. She believed the man was Frederick because she had just dealt with him in a situation where she had to take his ammunition from him.

Lincoln County deputy Brandon Huff and the Troy officer went to Frederick’s home. According to the Troy officer, Frederick told him he had some problems with his neighbors. He allegedly said he had his gun with him when he spoke to one of the alleged victims, but denied pointing the gun at the man.

When the investigating officers found the rifle, a live round was chambered.

According to the Troy officer, while he was taking the man to the county jail in Libby, the man allegedly said, “I should not have done what I did, but you can only push a man so far.”

    Peter Andrew Frederick appeared Aug. 12, 2024, in Lincoln County District Court. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)