Editor’s note: This story has been edited to remove the names of the assault victims.
A Soldotna man facing domestic violence charges returned to court Tuesday for an alleged assault of his girlfriend and a man last month.
Patrick Slate, 37, was arrested Jan. 11 after Soldotna Police responded to a welfare check at Slate’s apartment and found a victim A.S., who suffered second-degree burns on her face, neck and torso, according to a police affidavit.
Slate was arraigned Jan. 12 and charged with two counts of assault in the first degree, a Class A Felony and one count of assault in the fourth degree, a Class A misdemeanor.
A.S., also sustained fractured ribs and severe facial trauma and was transported to Central Peninsula Hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries, according to the affidavit from Soldotna police officer Mark Berestoff.
Police on the scene interviewed the other victim, M.R. of Soldotna. He stated he had been physically assaulted by Slate after Slate saw him kiss A.S., according to the affidavit. M.R. sustained a fractured orbital socket and sinus cavity as well as cuts to his head and mouth, which required stitches, according to the affidavit.
Officer Berestoff attempted to interview A.S. at CPH but she was unable to make a clear statement as to how she suffered the injuries, according to the affidavit. Berestoff interviewed Dr. Cindy Mildbrand, who treated the alleged victim, and she said A.S. was burned from being immersed in hot water.
A.S. made a statement to her sister, saying she remembered Slate burning her lip with a lit cigarette and Slate hitting her, according to the affidavit.
Slate was in court for a status hearing Tuesday at the Kenai Courthouse. Slate’s public defender Joy Hobert asked for a waiver of indictment for 30 days before state prosecutors could bring indictment charges against him. Superior Court Judge Charles Huguelet ordered a status hearing for March 26 at the Kenai Courthouse.
In court Tuesday, Hobert asked Judge Huguelet when a judge would be appointed to the case. Huguelet said a judge would be assigned after state prosecutors file indictment charges. A preliminary hearing was held on Jan. 22, but no indictment charges were filed. The case cannot go to trail until indictment charges are brought before Slate.
Slate is currently in jail at Wildwood Pre-Trial Facility.
Reach Dan Balmer at daniel.balmer@peninsulaclarion.com.
