Gordon man set for arraignment in beating case

A Gordon man accused of beating up his girlfriend, strangling her and threatening to kill her made his initial appearance in court Monday.

James L. Peet, 61, is charged with substantial battery, strangulation and suffocation, intimidation of a victim, false imprisonment and disorderly conduct. The court has set a signature bond set at $5,000.

Authorities met with the victim on April 7 at a residence in Barnes. They observed multiple injuries, including blows that left her bruised and bloodied.

She said Peet caused the injuries. She has known Peet for about six years and they were in a romantic relationship.

According to the complaint, Peet was at the victim’s house at around 2 p.m. when they started to argue while she was making food. Peet pushed the victim and she pushed him back. Peet then punched the victim in the face with a closed fist. The victim remembers being hit in the face three times and fell to the ground.

Peet proceeded to kick her numerous times while wearing steel-toed work boots. She attempted to get away, but he then pinned her to the ground.

Peet then put his hands around the victim’s neck, squeezing tightly, the complaint stated. Peet insulted her and made death threats during the assault. The victim tried calling 911, but Peet took the phone from her hands. She then crawled to the bedroom and called 911 using another phone.

She lost consciousness at some point during the physical altercation and woke up on the floor with Peet holding her down. The victim said she quit fighting and begged him to stop.

Peet reportedly told the victim that if she drove him home and told the Bayfield County Sheriff’s office everything was fine, he would stop beating her. She drove Peet back home. She said the only reason she called the sheriff’s office was because she was in a lot of pain.

Peet was arrested at his home in Douglas County. Peet said they had argued over his ex-girlfriend. Later, while the victim was driving, the victim scratched the right side of Peet’s face while he was sitting in the passenger seat, according to the complaint.

He is scheduled for an arraignment on June 25 at 11 a.m.