The trial for a man accused of a 2018 stabbing death in Yakutat has began in Juneau Superior Court at Dimond Courthouse. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file)

The trial for a man accused of a 2018 stabbing death in Yakutat has began in Juneau Superior Court at Dimond Courthouse. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file)

Jury selection begins in Yakutat killing trial

Potential jurors expressed qualms about COVID mitigation measures in place.

Juror selection began Tuesday in the trial of a man charged in the stabbing death of a man in Yakutat in 2018.

John L. Stapleton, originally from Washington, was arraigned in 2018 for charges of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder following the death of John Fergerson Jr., 51.

Stapleton was indicted on Nov. 25, 2018. Now, Juneau Superior Court Judge Amy Mead is presiding over the case, expected she said to take several weeks to run through.

[City reports 2 buildings collapse as continuing rain stresses infrastructure]

“This trial is anticipated to be a rather long trial,” Mead said during her opening remarks to potential jurors.

Eric Hedland of the Public Defender Agency is defending Stapleton, while Juneau District Attorney Angie Kemp, recently selected to lead the Alaska Department of Law’s Criminal Division, leads the prosecution.

A number of potential jurors expressed qualms with the COVID-19 mitigation measures, with some claiming that they believed the state would expose them unduly to the virus that causes COVID-19 or expressing concerns about other jurors’ vaccination status.

Jury selection is part of a trial designed to eliminate jurors from the pool that might have undue bias in the case, due to a relation to people involved in the case, such as the victim or the defendant, or for other reasons that would render them less than impartial. The burden of proof is on the prosecution, who will have to prove to the jury beyond reasonable doubt that Stapleton is guilty.

The Empire previously reported that Yakutat Borough Police Department received a call from a woman in the early morning on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018 from the cabins where Stapleton and Fergerson were staying that a man was not breathing. After arriving at the scene, said YBPD Chief Robert Beasley, told the Empire in 2018, officers found Stapleton attempting to give CPR to Fergerson, who they found dead with three stab wounds near the heart. Stapleton was put in custody, and Fergerson was pronounced dead at the scene. Alcohol was likely a factor in the incident, Beasley told the Empire.

At the time of the killing, it was the first killing in Yakutat in more than 20 years, following the 1996 murder of Sandra Perry by Robert Kowalski. Kowalski was convicted and sentenced in 2014; Kowalski appealed the conviction but it was upheld in 2018.

The opening statements are expected to begin Wednesday afternoon.

• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at (757) 621-1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Nov. 3

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Amy Liddle leads Kenai junior Abigail Price and Palmer junior Kylie Benner en route to winning the girls 200 freestyle title during the ASAA Swim & Dive State Championships on Saturday at Anchorage’s Bartlett High School pool. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Liddle is big at Alaska high school state swim and dive championships

JDHS sophomore earns 200 free title, girls relay wins, Plang leads boys

The Boney Courthouse building in Anchorage holds the Alaska Supreme Court chambers. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Three nominated for upcoming vacancy on Alaska Supreme Court

Dunleavy has 45 days to make final selection; will make the court majority female for first time.

Karen Brewer-Tarver, a partner with the Juneau-based accounting firm Elgee Rehfeld, presents results from a third-party audit of the Juneau School District for past fiscal year to the Juneau Board of Education’s Finance Committee on Thursday night. (Screenshot from Juneau School District livestream)
Positive ending: School district emerges from fiscal crisis with first audit without a deficit in years

Report finds lingering problems with “internal controls,” recommends more staff and refining procedures.

Dan Allard (left) and Philip Martinez (center) from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers listen to John Bohan, an engineer with the City and Borough of Juneau, as the three men provide information about flood barriers to Juneau Assembly members during a meeting Monday night at City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Experts address flood barrier concerns of Assembly, will meet with residents next week

Advice for homeowners seeking to protect themselves to be offered by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

William Todd Hunt guides the Taku Winds ensemble through a rehearsal of music by Indigenous composers on Tuesday evening at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Taku Winds will be blowing wildly this weekend with concert featuring Indigenous composers

“Eagles, Ravens and Wolf” scheduled at 7 p.m. Saturday at Thunder Mountain Middle School

Þorsteinn Þorsteinsson looks at a moulin on the Sólheimajökull glacier on Oct. 20. A moulin, or glacier mill, is a crevasse through which water enters a glacier from the surface. (Jasz Garrett / For the Juneau Empire)
Breaching a gap of 3,296 miles: Iceland’s experience with jökulhlaups

Glacial outburst floods a threat there for more than 1,100 years — what can Juneau learn from them?

Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, speaks to members of the Senate majority caucus’ leadership group on Friday, April 12, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Education, energy and elections among priorities of Alaska Senate’s post-election agenda

Senate’s previous bipartisan majority will continue, albeit a bit smaller, after election.

A statue of William Henry Seward stands outside the Dimond Courthouse in downtown Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Juneau man gets 18-year prison sentence for sexual abuse of a minor

Craig Foster, 63, pleaded guilty to charge involving girl between 9 and 11 years old.

Most Read