A judge substantially lowered the bail for a Juneau man accused of manslaughter and homicide.
Bail had been set at $500,000 for David Valentine Evenson, 51, who originally was charged with murder in the June 30 death of Aaron G. Monette. But after a Juneau grand jury instead indicted Evenson for manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide, his defense attorney argued successfully for a lesser bail amount.
In Juneau Superior Court, Assistant Public Defender Eric Hedland told Judge Philip Pallenberg there while there was evidence his client punched Monette, 56, there was some question as to whether he also kicked him. Monette died several days later in a Seattle hospital; a pathologist conducted an autopsy and reportedly made a preliminary finding that the pre-existing aneurysm that ruptured in the assault was a contributing factor to Monette’s death.
Assistant District Attorney Amy Paige said that Evenson showed little regard for the well-bring of others and displayed an inability to control his temper, adding that the attack was “unfathomable” to those who knew Monette.
Hedland disputed that characterization, saying the evidence suggested that Monette asked Evenson to come outside and settle their dispute, then “threw” his pack down and advanced on Evenson.
Pallenberg noted that theoretically the victim’s actions could go to proving a self-defense claim, but added that would be for a jury to decide at trial.
Pallenberg agreed that Evenson’s bail should be lowered because he no longer faces a murder charge, but added he was still charged with a very serious offense.
“It is fair to look at the results,” he said before setting bail at $100,000. “The result here is a dead man, tragically.”
Evenson’s trial is scheduled for Sept. 18 with a trial call on Sept. 11. A motion to dismiss has been filed, but a hearing date for that has not yet been set.
Contact reporter Liz Kellar at 523-2246 or liz.kellar@juneauempire.com.
