WESTMORELAND, Kan. — A preliminary hearing is scheduled Friday in Pottawatomie County District Court for a 52-year-old St. Marys man accused of sex crimes with a minor.
Peter Palmeri was arrested July 9 on a warrant for two counts of rape, six counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, three counts of aggravated criminal sodomy, one count of aggravated kidnapping and one count of furnishing alcohol to a minor. He and his attorney filed a motion in July to dismiss the charges, alleging the statute of limitations had run out. At a continued hearing August 22, the court ruled the majority of the charges filed were barred by the statute of limitations. He remains jailed on one count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.
Pottawatomie County Attorney Sherri Shuck tells KMAN she has filed a motion to reconsider with the court, believing Judge Jeff Elder ruled in error and that there are provisions under the law that should allow the state to toll the statute of limitations (i.e. extend the ability to prosecute the offenses). The preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday.
