Laron Carlton Graham appears in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, Feb. 26, 2018, for an arraignment on two counts of first-degree murder for the Nov. 15, 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Laron Carlton Graham appears in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, Feb. 26, 2018, for an arraignment on two counts of first-degree murder for the Nov. 15, 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

A year after indictment, double murder trial still far off

Thousands of pages of documents, phone calls contributing to slow progress

This Friday marks one year since Laron Carlton Graham was indicted on two charges of murder, and the trial is still months away.

Graham, 41, was supposed to go to trial Feb. 19, but the trial date has been moved back to Aug. 19, according to court records. Graham faces two charges of first-degree murder for the Nov. 15, 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth Tonsmeire in Douglas.

There is a “voluminous” amount of discovery in the case, as defense attorney Natasha Norris wrote in her motion to push the trial back. Discovery includes phone calls, interviews, photographs and “thousands upon thousands of pages of documents,” Norris wrote, detailing that there are more than 21,330 pages of documents connected to the case.

During a court hearing in Juneau on Jan. 23, Graham said he’s unhappy with Norris and is strongly considering moving on from her, according to a transcript in court records. He’s getting impatient with the slow progress toward trial, he said in the hearing.

Graham represented himself in a 2016 trial during which he was found guilty of four felonies and nine misdemeanors, including vehicle theft, robbery and assault. He’s currently serving time for those convictions in Spring Creek Correctional Center in Seward, located there in part so he doesn’t talk to Lemon Creek Correctional Center inmates who are listed as witnesses in the case, according to court records.

More in News

The Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore docks in Juneau in October, 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Ships in Port for t​​he Week of Sept. 23

Here’s what to expect this week.

A person departs Bartlett Regional Hospital on July 26, a day after a board of directors meeting raised issues about the hospital’s leadership and quality of care, with then-CEO David Keith resigning a week later. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)
New Bartlett CEO has lots of experience with mergers, transitions as hospital confronts struggles

Meanwhile former CEO still getting paid for post-resignation ‘transition’ despite leaving the state.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Police calls for Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Former Coppa Cafe co-owner Marc Wheeler and current owner Maddie Kombrink smile for a picture at the downtown cafe Wednesday morning. Last week the cafe celebrated its 10-year anniversary in Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
‘It’s a wonderful milestone’: Coppa Cafe celebrates a decade of service in Juneau

Ten years is just the beginning, says current and past owners.

Ian Worden addresses Bartlett Regional Hospital’s board of directors via Zoom during a meeting Tuesday night where he was subsequently hired as the new interim chief executive officer. He is expected to begin the job within a month. (Screenshot from Bartlett Regional Hospital video)
Bartlett Regional Hospital, during unusual board meeting, makes yet another interim CEO hire

Longtime Seattle-area executive unanimously chosen as hospital’s third leader in past two months.

Lt. Krag Campbell with the Juneau Police Department smiles for a photo Tuesday evening outside of City Hall. Campbell is one of two finalists seeking the chief position at the department. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Juneau officer seeking department’s top spot says 21 years in community an asset

Lt. Krag Campbell one of two finalists for chief of police.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Police calls for Monday, Sept. 25, 2023

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, a Democrat who became the first Alaska Native in Congress a year ago, discusses issues and adjusting to the national political scene on Sept. 8 as part of a three-day visit to Juneau. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A year after surprising victory, Peltola a popular target in Congress

Spending 9/11 with Biden, being top target of GOP now part of job while dealing with family matters.

Most Read