Peterson arraigned on second-degree murder charges, three others

PALMER — Damien Alexander Peterson, the 19-year old charged in the June 2016 death of a 16-year old Wasilla youth, was arraigned in Palmer Superior Court on four felony counts.

Peterson is charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter, criminal negligent homicide and third-degree assault in the shooting of Frank Woodford at a Wasilla residence. Investigators originally closed the case because of inconclusive evidence but reopened it last month after several confidential informants came forth with information.

Peterson appeared before Judge Gregory Heath. He appeared with a representative from the State of Alaska's Office of Public Advocacy. His counsel stated he would not be representing Peterson long-term telling the judge his office had just gotten the case Friday afternoon and wanted to make sure he had legal representation for his arraignment.

Peterson's time before the judge lasted just over two minutes. Heath asked if information and charges on the indictment were correct and whether the defendant wished to answer a not guilty plea.

Peterson entered a not guilty plea, and Heath set April 19 at 9 a.m. for a pre-trial conference and set the week of May 8 as trial week.

Peterson remains jailed on a $500,000 cash bond plus court-appointed third party.