IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Sarah Palin's son pleads not guilty to burglary in assault case against dad

The former GOP vice presidential candidate's oldest son, Track, did not attend a hearing in which he pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of burglary.
Image: Track Palin
Track Palin in 2008.Justin Sullivan / Getty Images, file

PALMER, Alaska — Sarah Palin's oldest son pleaded not guilty Monday to a felony charge in the case accusing him of assaulting his father at the family's Alaska home last month.

Track Palin's lawyer entered the plea to a burglary charge on his behalf at his arraignment. The 28-year-old did not attend the hearing in person, but participated by phone. His parents also did not attend.

Image: Track Palin
Track Palin in 2008.Justin Sullivan / Getty Images, file

During the brief proceeding, Palin said only, "Yes, ma'am," when the judge asked if he was on the telephone line.

The judge set Palin's trial for the week of Feb. 26.

Palin was arrested in December after Sarah Palin, the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee and a former Alaska governor, told authorities her son was on some kind of medication and "freaking out."

A police affidavit said father Todd Palin was bleeding from cuts on his head. He told police the dispute began when his son called to pick up his truck from the Palins' home in Wasilla.

Track Palin last month also not guilty to misdemeanor assault and criminal mischief. He is out on bail with electronic monitoring.

According to the affidavit, Todd Palin said he told Track Palin not to come to the house but that his son said he would come anyway to beat him up. Todd Palin told police he got his pistol "to protect his family."

Track Palin told police he broke a window, disarmed his father and put him on the ground.

Wasilla police Officer Adam LaPointe wrote in the affidavit that Todd and Sarah Palin had left the home when police arrived and that she was visibly upset.

Track Palin yelled at officers, calling them peasants, and "moved around in a strange manner" before being arrested without incident, the affidavit says.

He told police he "consumed a few beers earlier," the document says.

The Palins obtained a court order barring their son from having contact with them and their children who live at home. Todd Palin told the court by phone in December that the family is prepared to re-establish contact.