Cops and Courts

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire
Left to right, investigator Emily Chapel, defendant Fenton Jacobs and defense attorney Nicolas Ambrose stand as the jury in Jacobs’ trial enters the courtroom on May 18, 2022.

Fatal stabbing trial begins with statements, witnesses

The prosecution and defense paint different contexts for the events which ended in a death.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire
Left to right, investigator Emily Chapel, defendant Fenton Jacobs and defense attorney Nicolas Ambrose stand as the jury in Jacobs’ trial enters the courtroom on May 18, 2022.
The jury section stands empty between rounds of the jury selection process in the trial for a man charged in a stabbing in downtown Juneau in 2019 on May 16, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Jury selection begins for 2019 stabbing trial

The process, which can take several days, precedes the opening statements by the defense and prosecution.

The jury section stands empty between rounds of the jury selection process in the trial for a man charged in a stabbing in downtown Juneau in 2019 on May 16, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Homer Police said this area on East Pioneer Avenue in front of Homer’s Jeans and the Kachemak Bay Campus was where search dogs indicated a “car pick up,” or a scent that suggested a person had gotten in a vehicle, for Anesha “Duffy” Murnane. Murnane was last seen in Homer, Alaska, on Oct. 17, 2019. This photo was take on Nov. 10, 2019. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Police arrest man in murder, kidnapping of Homer woman

Man living in Utah knew victim when he lived in Homer in 2019.

Homer Police said this area on East Pioneer Avenue in front of Homer’s Jeans and the Kachemak Bay Campus was where search dogs indicated a “car pick up,” or a scent that suggested a person had gotten in a vehicle, for Anesha “Duffy” Murnane. Murnane was last seen in Homer, Alaska, on Oct. 17, 2019. This photo was take on Nov. 10, 2019. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
A Juneau man was cited for multiple sexual abuse of a minor charges following his arrest last week for incidents that took place in 2019 and 2020. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file)
A Juneau man was cited for multiple sexual abuse of a minor charges following his arrest last week for incidents that took place in 2019 and 2020. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file)
A man involved in a fatal accident at the Glory Hall has been indicted for murder. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file)

Man involved in fatal fall indicted for murder

He’s currently being held at Lemon Creek Correctional Center.

A man involved in a fatal accident at the Glory Hall has been indicted for murder. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file)
A Juneau man arrested in 2019 for more than a dozen charges including multiple sexual-related felonies was found guilty during a jury trial on Feb. 1, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Juneau man found guilty in child sex abuse case

The defendant was found guilty of fourteen separate charges.

A Juneau man arrested in 2019 for more than a dozen charges including multiple sexual-related felonies was found guilty during a jury trial on Feb. 1, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
The jury in a trial for a 2018 killing is currently sequestered as they deliberate. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Jury deliberations last through second day in trial for Yakutat killing

The jury will decide whether the defendant is guilty or innoncent of the charges.

The jury in a trial for a 2018 killing is currently sequestered as they deliberate. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Members of the prosecution and defense, including defendant John Stapleton, sit during a trial for a 2018 killing on Jan. 13, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Deliberation continues in 2018 Yakutat killing trial

The jury of one’s peers is deliberating the defendant’s guilt.

Members of the prosecution and defense, including defendant John Stapleton, sit during a trial for a 2018 killing on Jan. 13, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Investigator Markus Bressler, defendant John Stapleton, and public defender Eric Hedland sit in court on Jan. 13, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Man says 2018 stabbing death was accidental

With both prosecution and defense done bringing witnesses, the trial is entering its final stages.

Investigator Markus Bressler, defendant John Stapleton, and public defender Eric Hedland sit in court on Jan. 13, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Public defender Eric Hedland, left, and District Attorney Angie Kemp consult with Superior Court Judge Amy Mead on Jan. 24, 2022 during a trial of a man accused of killing another man in Yakutat in 2018. (Screenshot)
Public defender Eric Hedland, left, and District Attorney Angie Kemp consult with Superior Court Judge Amy Mead on Jan. 24, 2022 during a trial of a man accused of killing another man in Yakutat in 2018. (Screenshot)
Ted Nordgaarden of the Alaska Bureau of Investigation imitates the gesture made by the defendant during the trial of a man charged with killing another man in Yakutat in 2018. (Screenshot)

Investigator testifies as trial concludes second week

The jury watched video of the defendant’s initial interview in custody.

Ted Nordgaarden of the Alaska Bureau of Investigation imitates the gesture made by the defendant during the trial of a man charged with killing another man in Yakutat in 2018. (Screenshot)
Screenshot 
District Attorney Angie Kemp and public defender Eric Hedland consult with Superior Court Judge Amy Mead on Jan. 20, 2022 during a trial of a man accused of killing another man in Yakutat in 2018.

Experts weigh in on technical aspects of 2018 killing

Two expert witnesses and an investigator testified on a busy Thursday of the trial.

Screenshot 
District Attorney Angie Kemp and public defender Eric Hedland consult with Superior Court Judge Amy Mead on Jan. 20, 2022 during a trial of a man accused of killing another man in Yakutat in 2018.
Screenshot 
Alaska State Trooper Andrew Adams holds up a knife identified as a possible weapon involved in the killing of a man in Yakutat several years ago as he testifies in court on Wednesday.
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Alaska State Trooper Andrew Adams holds up a knife identified as a possible weapon involved in the killing of a man in Yakutat several years ago as he testifies in court on Wednesday.
Officer John Waldron of the Yakutat Borough Police Department looks at a print of a photograph as he testifies about a stabbing he responded to in 2018. (Screenshot)

Police who responded to, investigated killing testify

A Yakutat police officer and Alaska State Trooper testified Tuesday.

Officer John Waldron of the Yakutat Borough Police Department looks at a print of a photograph as he testifies about a stabbing he responded to in 2018. (Screenshot)
Superior Court Judge Amy Mead delivers an instruction to the jury on Jan. 13, 2021 as she presides over the trial of a man charged with killing another man in Yakutat in 2018. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Superior Court Judge Amy Mead delivers an instruction to the jury on Jan. 13, 2021 as she presides over the trial of a man charged with killing another man in Yakutat in 2018. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
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.

Jury selection begins in Yakutat killing trial

Potential jurors expressed qualms about COVID mitigation measures in place.

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.
Jury trials at Dimond Courthouse and elsewhere are expected to occur more often and consistently in the next several months as judges seek to get trials moving once again. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Jury trials set to ramp up with new year

The Sixth Amendment gives all Americans the right to a speedy and public trial by jury.

Jury trials at Dimond Courthouse and elsewhere are expected to occur more often and consistently in the next several months as judges seek to get trials moving once again. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Police Department, seen here on March 20, 2020, will hold a Citizen’s Police Academy beginning this October. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Police to reinstate Citizen’s Police Academy

The eight-week class was a regular event pre-pandemic.

The Juneau Police Department, seen here on March 20, 2020, will hold a Citizen’s Police Academy beginning this October. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
A Juneau man arrested in 2018 for intent to distribute was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment and five years of supervised release this week in U.S. District Court. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau man sentenced to 10 years for distribution of drugs

His 2018 arrest turned up drugs, guns, and thousands in cash.

A Juneau man arrested in 2018 for intent to distribute was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment and five years of supervised release this week in U.S. District Court. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
A former Juneau chiropractor who was indicted for multiple sexual assault charges in April was charged with more assaults in early June. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Former chiropractor faces additional sexual assault charges

The former Juneau resident was indicted for five more felony charges early in June.

A former Juneau chiropractor who was indicted for multiple sexual assault charges in April was charged with more assaults in early June. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)