Crime & Courts

Chiropractor appointed by Dunleavy to workers’ comp board charged with assault

KODIAK — A Kodiak chiropractor appointed last month to the Alaska Workers’ Compensation Board by Gov. Mike Dunleavy has been charged with multiple felonies.

Christopher Twiford, 45, was arraigned Tuesday on three counts of felony assault, the Kodiak Daily Mirror reported. He’s also charged with misdemeanor counts of assault and possession of a weapon while intoxicated.

Online court records do not list Twiford's attorney. Messages left Thursday at Twiford's practice were not immediately returned. The Kodiak city jail lists Twiford as free on bail as of Wednesday.

Dunleavy appointed Twiford to join the Workers' Compensation Board on Jan. 25. The three-year appointment was to take effect March 1. The board reviews labor regulations and resolves disputed benefits claims. Dunleavy spokesman Matt Shuckerow did not immediately return an email requesting comment Thursday.

The criminal complaint stemmed from the report of a doctor. A physician called Kodiak police Feb. 3 to report that a patient’s injuries were likely caused by an assault, including strangulation.

Police contacted the patient. She showed investigators a bruise on her head that she said was caused when Twiford hit her in the head with a pet food dish, knocking her to the floor.

She told police that when she tried to stand, Twiford hit her again and pushed her back down. He retrieved a revolver and pointed at her chest, the woman told police.

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When Twiford put the gun down, she said, a scuffle began. She said Twiford tried to strangle her, climbed on top of her, put all his weight on her chest and made it difficult for her to breathe. She said she bit him on the chest.

The woman said Twiford had been drinking continuously over 24 hours and that she had consumed shots also.

She was diagnosed afterward with a concussion. Officers photographed bruises on her arms, shoulders, back and head.

The woman told police that Twiford in November had pointed a gun at her face after an argument and threatened to shoot her if she dated someone else.

Twiford’s bail was set at $3,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 21.

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