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PROVO, Utah (AP) -- A veteran Utah police officer is denying allegations he held a gun to his common law wife's head.
The Daily Herald reports that Provo Officer Mark Petersen's defense lawyer says the woman was intoxicated and is now trying to recant the statement.
The lawyer, Mike Petro, says a key witness didn't corroborate the allegation while others provided inconsistent accounts of the Sunday confrontation.
Petro told the paper he believes Petersen went to the Provo home where his common law wife was to retrieve his cell phone.
Peterson was arrested Wednesday for investigation of felony aggravated assault and obstruction of justice. A police affidavit says he pointed a handgun and a shotgun at the woman and shoved her violently after finding her in another man's company.
Petersen was booked Wednesday at Utah County jail, then transferred to Juab County jail and released on $50,000 bail.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
