A Mossyrock man faces possible life in prison after his wife accused him of pointing a loaded handgun at her while he was intoxicated.
Peter M. Handorff, 64, is charged with one count of first-degree assault with a deadly weapon. Lewis County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested him on Sunday.
Handorff made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday. Judge Joely Yeager set Handorff’s bail at $100,000 cash or bond, double the amount requested by Senior Deputy Prosecutor Scott Jackson.
Yeager called the allegations “very concerning,” and noted it only takes about four pounds of pressure to pull the trigger of a gun.
According to Handorff’s wife, Handorff had his finger on the trigger when he pointed the gun at her.
During the hearing, Handorff said he didn’t load the gun.
Yeager granted the state’s request for a domestic violence no-contact order on behalf of the alleged victim, as well as an order for Handorff to surrender any weapons within his possession.
Yeager allowed Handorff the opportunity to retrieve his belongings from the home through a civil standby, which would require the sheriff’s office to supervise Handorff during his visit.
According to a probable cause affidavit, the sheriff’s office responded to the assault complaint in the 700 block of Salmon Creek Road on Sunday. The responding deputy met with Handorff’s wife at Lewis County Fire District 8’s Winston Creek station.
The woman told the deputy she had returned home after spending a few days out of town. She arrived to find Handorff intoxicated, sitting in a recliner.
During their conversation, Handorff allegedly became upset and grabbed a handgun from a nearby end table. According to the woman, Handorff pointed it at her, finger on the trigger.
The woman said she became afraid and left the property.
Deputies arrived at the home and used their PA system to call Handorff out. He eventually complied and exited the building, hands in the air.
Deputies took Handorff into custody, reportedly noting his “slurred speech” and “strong odor of intoxicants.”
According to the affidavit, Handorff allegedly denied pointing the gun at his wife, and said he’d pointed it at the TV.
Deputies received the woman’s permission to enter the home. According to the affidavit, they found the handgun loaded, along with five other firearms “in plain view.”
Handorff is scheduled for an arraignment on Thursday.
