PLATTSBURGH — Scott Palmer pleaded not guilty Tuesday to allegedly beating his wife and trying to burn down their home while she and three children were inside.

A Clinton County grand jury indicted Palmer, 35, of Rouses Point on multiple felony charges, including four counts of attempted murder, in connection with the mid-May assault and arson at his former Chapman Street residence.

He was brought from Clinton County Jail Tuesday morning to face the charges in County Court, where he pleaded not guilty to the 16-count indictment, which included charges of arson, aggravated cruelty to animals, burglary and assault.

The indictment came about three months after he allegedly assaulted his now-estranged wife, Marcy Palmer, by repeatedly punching her in the face, slamming her head off a toilet and smashing her legs with a wooden spindle.

He is also accused of hitting one of the children during the violent altercation.

According to the indictment, Palmer then torched the home by pouring gasoline throughout an upstairs bedroom where the three children, including his own young son, had sought refuge.

Mrs. Palmer and the children were able to escape the smoke and flames, but their two family dogs — a poodle and a mixed-breed German shepherd — did not.

Mr. Palmer was taken into custody after he fled the burning home and broke into a nearby residence, where he unsuccessfully tried to hide from police.

He has been behind bars since then, unable to post $25,000 cash bail or $50,000 bond, and is due back in court for a conference Oct. 3.

He was previously represented by attorney Marcia Moss, but on Tuesday she requested an application to have another attorney appointed to the case.

Mrs. Palmer was initially hospitalized at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington but has since been released and is continuing to recover from head and knee injuries from the alleged attack.

E-mail Andrea VanValkenburg at:

avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com