Cops and Courts

Micah Nelson, 28.

Update: Wanted man arrested peacefully after standoff

Police took him into custody without violence.

Micah Nelson, 28.
Micah Nelson is wanted by the Juneau Police Department in connection with an assault Tuesday.
Micah Nelson is wanted by the Juneau Police Department in connection with an assault Tuesday.
In this April 18, 2019, file photo, Attorney General William Barr speaks about the release of a redacted version of special counsel Robert Mueller’s report during a news conference at the Department of Justice in Washington. (AP Photo | Patrick Semansky, File)

AFN highlights widespread public safety failings in rural communities

There’s deep fear concerning the state of Alaska’s public safety.

In this April 18, 2019, file photo, Attorney General William Barr speaks about the release of a redacted version of special counsel Robert Mueller’s report during a news conference at the Department of Justice in Washington. (AP Photo | Patrick Semansky, File)
Prosecuting Attorney John Darnall, from the Office of Special Prosecutions, gives his closing argument in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, during the trial of Laron Carlton Graham. Graham is facing two counts of first-degree murder for the November 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Prosecution sticks to evidence as defense attacks witnesses in closing arguments

The trial for a 2015 double murder is now in the hands of the jury.

Prosecuting Attorney John Darnall, from the Office of Special Prosecutions, gives his closing argument in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, during the trial of Laron Carlton Graham. Graham is facing two counts of first-degree murder for the November 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The trial of Laron Carlton Graham for the murder of Elizabeth Tonsmeire and Robby Meireis continued in Juneau on Friday, Oct. 4, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The trial of Laron Carlton Graham for the murder of Elizabeth Tonsmeire and Robby Meireis continued in Juneau on Friday, Oct. 4, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Prosecuting Attorney John Darnall, from the Office of Special Prosecutions, right, shows pictures of recovered bullets and their casings to Juneau Police Department Sgt. Matt DuBois during the double murder trial of Laron Carlton Graham in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, Sept. 30, 2019. Graham is charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the November 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Prosecuting Attorney John Darnall, from the Office of Special Prosecutions, right, shows pictures of recovered bullets and their casings to Juneau Police Department Sgt. Matt DuBois during the double murder trial of Laron Carlton Graham in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, Sept. 30, 2019. Graham is charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the November 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Overall Alaska crime down, but violent crime is at 5 year high
Overall Alaska crime down, but violent crime is at 5 year high
Prosecuting Attorney John Darnall, from the Office of Special Prosecutions, right, shows pictures of recovered bullets and their casings to Juneau Police Department Sgt. Matt DuBois during the double murder trial of Laron Carlton Graham in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, Sept. 30, 2019. Graham is charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the November 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Prosecuting Attorney John Darnall, from the Office of Special Prosecutions, right, shows pictures of recovered bullets and their casings to Juneau Police Department Sgt. Matt DuBois during the double murder trial of Laron Carlton Graham in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, Sept. 30, 2019. Graham is charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the November 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau Police Department Officer Ronald Shriver answers questions on the witness stand from defense attorney Natasha Norris in Juneau Superior Court on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019, during Graham’s trial. Graham is facing two counts of first-degree murder for the November 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. Shriver was a Department of Corrections officer working at Lemon Creek Correctional Center when Graham was housed there in 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau Police Department Officer Ronald Shriver answers questions on the witness stand from defense attorney Natasha Norris in Juneau Superior Court on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019, during Graham’s trial. Graham is facing two counts of first-degree murder for the November 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. Shriver was a Department of Corrections officer working at Lemon Creek Correctional Center when Graham was housed there in 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Lorissa Evenson, a former girlfriend of Laron Carlton Graham, answers questions on the witness stand from defense attorney Natasha Norris in Juneau Superior Court on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019, during Graham’s trial. Graham is facing two counts of first-degree murder for the November 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Lorissa Evenson, a former girlfriend of Laron Carlton Graham, answers questions on the witness stand from defense attorney Natasha Norris in Juneau Superior Court on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019, during Graham’s trial. Graham is facing two counts of first-degree murder for the November 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Regan Tweedy, mother of James LeBlanc-Tweedy, answers questions on the witness stand to questioning by defense attorney Natasha Norris in Juneau Superior Court on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019, during the trial of Laron Carlton Graham. Graham is facing two counts of first-degree murder for the November 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Regan Tweedy, mother of James LeBlanc-Tweedy, answers questions on the witness stand to questioning by defense attorney Natasha Norris in Juneau Superior Court on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019, during the trial of Laron Carlton Graham. Graham is facing two counts of first-degree murder for the November 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Defense targets honesty of key witness in double murder trial
Defense targets honesty of key witness in double murder trial
James LeBlanc-Tweedy is called to the witness stand in Juneau Superior Court on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, during the trial of Laron Carlton Graham on two counts of first-degree murder for the November 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
James LeBlanc-Tweedy is called to the witness stand in Juneau Superior Court on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, during the trial of Laron Carlton Graham on two counts of first-degree murder for the November 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Double murder trial shines light on Juneau drug scene

Double murder trial shines light on Juneau drug scene

The investigation turned up many interesting witnesses.

Double murder trial shines light on Juneau drug scene
Dimond Courthouse in downtown Juneau, where the double murder trial against defendant Laron Carlton Graham is being held. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Expert witness discusses firearms forensics before jury

Rounds fired both came from same missing weapon.

Dimond Courthouse in downtown Juneau, where the double murder trial against defendant Laron Carlton Graham is being held. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Juneau police officers testify about 2015 double murder
Juneau police officers testify about 2015 double murder
Laron Carlton Graham listens to his attorney, Natasha Norris, in Juneau Superior Court on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019, during his trial 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)
Laron Carlton Graham listens to his attorney, Natasha Norris, in Juneau Superior Court on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019, during his trial 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)
John Kelly Tonsmeire answers questions from the witness stand in Juneau Superior Court on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019, during the trial of Laron Carlton Graham on two counts of first-degree murder for the November 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. John Kelly Tonsmeire was the first to discover the murder scene when he went to check up on his daughter. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
John Kelly Tonsmeire answers questions from the witness stand in Juneau Superior Court on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019, during the trial of Laron Carlton Graham on two counts of first-degree murder for the November 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. John Kelly Tonsmeire was the first to discover the murder scene when he went to check up on his daughter. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Laron Carlton Graham listens in Juneau Superior Court on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019, during his trial on two counts of first-degree murder for the November 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Laron Carlton Graham listens in Juneau Superior Court on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019, during his trial on two counts of first-degree murder for the November 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Laron Carlton Graham listens to his attorney, Natasha Norris, in Juneau Superior Court on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019, during his trial on two counts of first-degree murder for the Nov. 14, 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Laron Carlton Graham listens to his attorney, Natasha Norris, in Juneau Superior Court on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019, during his trial on two counts of first-degree murder for the Nov. 14, 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)