Court

A Fairbanks grand jury indicted Joshua Butcher last week for Murder in the First Degree for a shooting at a Fairbanks Safeway that occurred November 7 of 2021.

A former substitute teacher in Kivalina was sentenced to 10 years in prison, followed by 10 more years of supervised release for soliciting nude photos and sex from young girls at the school where he worked.

On February 14, the defense team of Steven Downs requested he either be acquitted or given a new trial in the 1993 death of Sophie Sergie.

In front of the Rabinowitz Courthouse, family, friends, and members of the Fairbanks community held a vigil for Robyn Gray.

Fairbanks jury finds Downs guilty of 1993 murder and sexual assault

Downs is charged with murder and sexual assault in the 1993 death of 20-year-old Sophie Sergie.

Forensic and DNA test results were the main topics of discussion today during the Jury Trial of Steven Downs.

From forensics to firearms, jurors heard testimony in the hopes of finding answers in the Trial of Steven Downs.

Cross examinations in the trial for Steven Downs continue.

For the first time in the history of Alaska the position of Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court is held by someone born in the state. Daniel Winfree was born in Fairbanks in the 1953, six years before the territory became a state. His family had been in the area for years. His grandparents were in Dawson, Yukon Territory and Alaska at the turn of the century looking for gold.

A Fairbanks Justice was sworn in as the new Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court. Daniel Winfree was sworn in this morning by Justice Dario Borghesan. He succeeds retiring Chief Justice Joel Bolger.

The Alaska court system Monday said it is taking steps aimed at avoiding future cyberattacks, such as upgrading software and “investing in technology that can better protect our systems from intrusion.”

The Alaska Court System has restored some online services following a cyberattack.

The Alaska Court System has selected a new chief justice, according to a press release Thursday.

The FBI searched the home and business of a couple from Homer on April 28 looking for items stolen from the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Newly unsealed court records show agents believed a woman seen assisting in the theft of a computer belonging to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi was Marilyn Hueper of Homer.

A pair of administrative orders from Presiding Judge Terrence Haas says that the 14 day case rate of 47.05 per 100,000 residents made it unsafe to conduct in person grand jury and in person jury trials.

The Alaska Department of Corrections will resume in-person visitations this week, but a new set of vaccination requirements have drawn criticism from several civil rights organizations.

The attorney for a Galena man convicted of second degree sexual assault of a minor has filed a motion for a new trial. The motion came after a friend of the defendant reported being able to listen to deliberations over the phone.

A proposal by the Alaska Criminal Justice Commission could provide juveniles sentenced to lengthy prison sentences an opportunity for parole after serving 15 years.

The first in-person jury trial held in Alaska's Interior in nearly a year has concluded, signaling a return to normalcy in the criminal justice system.

A Galena man was convicted this week for sexually abusing a minor nearly two years ago.

An Alaska man accused of posting photos and video of himself inside the U.S. Capitol building during the riot in January is now facing federal charges for his participation in the attack.

Four men who say they were illegally imprisoned for nearly two decades for the murder of a teenager in Alaska will have their lawsuit go forward after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to get involved in the case.

An Alaska man who allegedly stalked his ex-girlfriend for months has been indicted on a charge of attempting to hire someone to kill her.

On the final day of hearings regarding motions the defense filed, defense attorney Jim Howaniac called Jim McCann to the stand to testify on his investigation into the murder.

Attorneys for Downs and the State finished litigating a motion to suppress evidence and began arguing on a motion to dismiss the indictments filed against Downs.

Steven Down’s lead defense attorney Jim Howaniec spent much of the day questioning lead Alaska State Trooper cold case investigator Randy McPherron about the history of the investigation and how they handled gathering evidence.

Steven Downs appeared in court for the first time in nearly a year as attorneys appeared before Superior Court Judge Thomas Temple to argue on motions to suppress evidence and dismiss the charges.

U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced Thursday that Bradley Kruger, 20, of Fairbanks, has been indicted for Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

According to U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder, Roger Keeling, 54, of Fairbanks has been indicted by a federal grand jury for stalking.