Palmer man arrested again

PALMER -- According to Alaska State Troopers reports, Milton Peery, 34, of Palmer, was arrested by troopers on Friday night, Oct. 19, at the intersection of Hemmer Road and the Palmer-Wasilla Highway. Peery reportedly was stopped when he failed to signal for a left-hand turn, and was subsequently arrested for driving while intoxicated, as well as under an outstanding AST arrest warrant out of Tok. Peery was also charged with refusal to submit to a chemical test. He was taken to Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility and later released when he posted $3,500 bail.

Peery, along with a friend, Tammy Barile, was convicted in August of resisting arrest in a controversial trial in which Trooper Eric Spitzer found himself defending his actions during his arrest of Peery and Barile on Feb. 26, 2001.

According to testimony at the trial, Spitzer approached the couple outside a Palmer bar because they appeared to be intoxicated and engaged in an argument, he said. A struggle ensued during which Barile was injured and the pair was subsequently arrested.

Arguments in the trial included the question of whether or not the arresting officer used unnecessary force when he subdued Barile, causing her injuries. After nearly two weeks of testimony, the jury found Barile and Peery guilty of resisting arrest, fourth-degree assault and disorderly conduct.

Magistrate David Zwink is scheduled to sentence Barile and Peery on Friday, Nov. 8, in Palmer District Court. The charges of resisting arrest and fourth-degree assault are class A misdemeanors, each carrying a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a maximum fine of $5,000. The charge of disorderly conduct also carries the possibility of fine, but no jail time.