Two Talkeetna Residents involved in Trooper Altercation

The attorney for two Talkeetna residents charged with assault following incidents that occurred on Sunday, July 15 says he intends to redeem his clients in court.

Gerald “Jerry” Sousa and his partner Kathleen Holden have been charged with assault in an incident with Alaska State Troopers during investigation of allegations of trespassing and discharging a firearm.
Neighbors said Sousa fired a gun while driving a four-wheeler on their land. Sousa’s Lawyer, Phillip Weidener said that he had not fired a shot.

The Anchorage Daily News Reported the troopers involved, Scott Lanier and Kevin Blanchette, contacted Sousa at his residence, where he answered the door carrying two handguns.
After Sousa Surrendered, Troopers reported encountering Kathleen Holden inside the residence, where they say she assaulted them, forcing them to use non-lethal force to subdue her, according to the report. Trooper Blanchette told the Daily News that Holden bit him as he was attempting to handcuff her, and he struck her and used a taser to subdue her.

Sousa was charged with three counts of Assault 3rd Degree, Misconduct Involving Weapons 3rd and 4th Degrees, and Criminal Trespassing. Holden was charged with two counts of Assault 4th Degree, and Resisting Arrest. Both were released on Bail.

In a statement to KTNA, thier attourney Phillip Weidener says no shots were fired, and he is dismayed at Holden’s treatment.
[audio:https://ktna.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Sousa-Holden.mp3|titles=Sousa-Holden]