Arson suspect waives hearing

SANDPOINT — A Bonner County man accused of setting fire to an occupied dwelling waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Wednesday.

Michael Shaun Peterson’s waver clears the way for him to be arraigned on a charge of first-degree arson in 1st District Court on Aug. 21.

Peterson allegedly doused his former wife’s home on Pinecrest Road with kerosene on July 7. The incident occurred the day after a divorce certificate was issued, according to the Idaho Supreme Court Data Repository.

Peterson’s former wife was not present during the alleged arson attempt, although other adults and the former couple’s 2-year-old child. The home was evacuated and the fire was brought under control, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Peterson is accused hitting a woman at the home with his vehicle and ramming a vehicle after setting the fire, resulting in misdemeanor charges of battery and malicious injury to property. Peterson faces also faces a misdemeanor injury to child charge for driving recklessly with his son in his vehicle.

Peterson, 44, allegedly sent his ex-wife incriminating text messages about the arson attempt.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.