Robert Peters
/ photo: Brian Erb
LIVERPOOL -- An update to a story CNY Central first brought you Thursday about a Liverpool School District administrator who is facing a felony criminal mischief charge.
Liverpool School Transportation Director Robert Peters is scheduled to reappear in Cicero Town Court on July 21st.
Peters went before Cicero Justice Douglas DeMarche Thursday night after he was charged with felony criminal mischief for a Memorial Day domestic violence incident at his estranged wife's home. DeMarche adjourned the case until July 21st. Neither Peters nor his attorney would comment when they left the Justice court.
As we reported Thursday, the Cicero Police Department's arrest report indicates that Peters was "impaired" by alcohol when he was arrested, but there's no mention of a DWI charge. Cicero Police Chief Joseph Snell explained to CNY Central's Jim Kenyon that Peters was stopped by the New York State Police, but the Cicero Police took him into custody.
Snell says it would have been up to the State Police to pursue any charges related the Peters alleged intoxication.
"It was their jurisdiction." Snell said.
Original story from Thursday:
A top administrator for the Liverpool Central School District is in hot water with the law, but remains on the job.
CNY Central's Jim Kenyon has learned that Transportation Director Robert Peters faces a felony charge of criminal mischief following a domestic dispute that occurred at his wife's home in Cicero. Cicero Police Chief Joseph Snell, reading from the police report, confirms the incident took place on May 31st. The report states that Peters, who is separated from his wife, had an argument at the home and became violent. He allegedly damaged two cars including his wife's Porsche after breaking through a garage window. During the incident the report states that Peters suffered a laceration to his hand and left blood at the scene.
Snell says Peters left the scene but was later picked up by State Police. The report says Peters told State Police that he has no memory of the incident and claimed the last thing he remembered was arriving at the home in Cicero.
Snell says Peters was charged with criminal mischief, a class E felony, but says his wife is trying to have the charges dropped. Snell says she's been referred to the Onondaga County District Attorney's Office.
The police report mentions that Peters was impaired by alcohol, but no driving while intoxicated charges have been filed.
Peters has not yet returned our call for comment. He is due to appear in Cicero Town Court Thursday evening.
Liverpool School Board President Don Cook tells Kenyon that he and Superintendent Dr. Richard Johns are aware of the arrest. He says Peters was asked to "Take a week off, and a letter was placed in his file."
Cook says the district is "keeping an eye" on the situation. "If there turns out to be anything greater, we'll review the case again and determine if additional action will be taken."
For now, Cook says it's a "domestic personal situation."
Click here to download and read the police report in this case.
