Politics

Fight involving Palin family: Top 10 moments from the audio files

Audio clips full of expletives and conflicting statements from a melee involving the family of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin were released Tuesday. Several hours of police interviews brought memorable quotes from witnesses and those involved in the brawl. Here are the top 10.

But first, some background: The Sept. 6 incident was initially reported by police as a fight involving about 20 people at a South Anchorage home. Homeowner Korey Klingenmeyer ?was hosting a birthday party for his son and two friends, twin brothers Marc and Matthew McKenna. Palin's husband, Todd, a friend of the McKennas, was also celebrating his 50th birthday.

According to witnesses, the Palin family arrived at Klingenmeyer's home in a Hummer limousine and were involved in the brawls that took place later that evening.

At least two fights took place, according to witness statements -- one in the street in front of the home involving Todd Palin and son Track, and another behind the home, where multiple witnesses said they watched daughter Bristol Palin punch Klingenmeyer repeatedly in the face.

Detailed of the evening were outlined in a police report released Oct. 9. The audio clips released Tuesday mirror the police report, offering sometimes-conflicting witness statements.

In no particular order, the 10 most memorable quotes:

#1: Bristol Palin explains to a police officer what happened:

"Some guy pushed me down on the ground and was dragging me by my feet," Bristol Palin tells police. "They took my $300 sunglasses, they took my f**king shoes and I'm f**king just left here?"

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The officer asks where she's injured. "My f**king knees, my face, where's my sh*t? I have a 5-year-old in the car," she replies.

#2: Track Palin misspells last name, apologizes to a police officer:

A police officer asks Track Palin to spell his name.

"Tango-Romeo-Charlie-Kilo" Palin says, indicating "Trck."

"And your last name?" the officer asks.

"Papa-Alpha-Lima-India-Mike-Oscar. Track says, spelling out the last name "Palimo." "You know what that means? Like, I mean, the alpha?"

"Papa - Palimo?" The officer asks.

"Track, this is not a time to be joking. It's Palin," Todd Palin says.

"I'm just messing around. I'm sorry dude," Track says.

A little later, Track apologizes again. "Hey, I'm not trying to be a dick, man. Like, I'm sorry dude. I've just seen a lot of shows on cops."

"I understand," The officer replies.

#3: Palin versus Klingenmeyer

While officers interview homeowner Klingenmeyer, Todd Palin interjects and confronts him. "Did you call Bristol a slut, or what's up man?" Todd Palin says.

"Todd, really?" Klingenmeyer replies.

"Did you call Bristol a slut?" Palin repeats.

"Todd. Really?" Klingenmeyer says.

Moments later Klingenmeyer tells one of the Palin daughters, "You need to go on another reality show."

As the situation escalates, an officer says, "Let's break this up."

#4: A peace offering

As the standoff between Klingenmeyer and the Palins continues, one man yells: "Everybody be friends! Everybody be friends! Give me a hug right now. I know you're bros. Give me a hug.

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"Everybody love everybody. That's the bottom line, right? Everybody love everybody."

#5: Track's ready to fight

Track describes an older man coming at him during the fight: "They were running at me, he was an old man, like 40 years old, whatever. I don't care, I'll fight whoever. I'm 24. Like, f*ck off. I'll fight you."

#6: Highly agitated homeowner

Homeowner Klingenmeyer tells police: "These Palins running up here in my property acting like they own it is not gonna fly with me. I'm the f*cking guy who owns this place. Korey f*cking Klingenmeyer. And I don't give a f*ck if their name's Palin, or f*cking, Obama, cause they don't mean sh*t to me," he says.

#7: Witness describes watching Track Palin pick a fight with his father

Witness Brian Horschel tells an officer, "Track was trying to pick a fight with his own father, and that didn't happen. ... I was sitting right there, and I said, 'Who's that guy?,' because I was getting ready to stand up for Todd, cause this guy was picking a wicked fight with him."

A man replied, "That's Palin's kid," Horschel tells officers. "And I go, 'Oh all right, I guess it's OK then.' "

#8: The family finds Track’s necklace

"Did you find your necklace? Track that is such a God thing, see?" Sarah Palin says, referring to a necklace that had been lost in the scuffle. "I can't believe you found it. Put it in my pocket."

#9: Track describes his friend, whom he says he was trying to defend

"Bottom line: So they, f*cking hit two of us. One is my buddy, the most like, innocent -- basically a gay guy, but he's not," Track Palin says.

#10. A concise summary of the incident

Matthew McKenna summarizes how the evening devolved into a melee: "The problem is, we're friends, and we have a lot of other friends that aren't friends, and sh*t got awry."

Laurel Andrews

Laurel Andrews was a reporter for the Anchorage Daily News, Alaska Dispatch News and Alaska Dispatch. She left the ADN in October 2018.

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