Indictments returned against shooting suspects

Steven Duane Thomas
Steven Thomas listens to a discussion in court during a continuation of his arraignment on Dec. 16, 2013. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)

It was back to court for one of the last significant suspects arrested in connection with the recent double shooting in Juneau.

Steven Duane Thomas, 32, appeared before Superior Court Judge Philip Pallenberg on Monday for a continuation of his arraignment. Prosecutors said that Thomas was difficult during his first appearance on Sunday before Magistrate Amanda Schulz.

Thomas, aka “Chunk,” was arrested Saturday afternoon trying to escape from the back side of a residence on Mendenhall Loop Road.

Thomas and three other people were indicted by Juneau grand jury on Friday in connection with the double shooting on Dec. 6 that erupted over the sale of heroin and included an exchange of gun fire between two vehicles heading up northbound on Egan Drive near the landfill.

Twenty-four counts were handed up by the grand jury and the bill of indictment essentially elevates their cases to Juneau Superior Court.

Thomas was indicted on five felony charges including misconduct involving weapons, and aiding and abetting misconduct involving weapons. He allegedly drove one of the vehicles along Egan Drive in which shots were fired at another vehicle on the morning of Dec. 6.

StevenThomas
Steven Duane ‘Chunk’ Thomas leaves the courtroom after a continuation of his arraignment on charges related to the Dec. 6, 2013 shooting on Egan Drive in Juneau. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)

James Depasquale, 45, was indicted on eight felony charges including assault, misconduct involving weapons, misconduct involving a controlled substance, and aiding and abetting tampering with evidence. He was injured at the Coho Park Apartments just after midnight on Dec. 6 when Jerrall Torres allegedly shot him twice.

Torres, 24, was indicted on two charges including misconduct involving a controlled substance and misconduct involving weapons. According to prosecutors, he was confronted by Depasquale about the sale of heroin and turning over the cash proceeds from sales.

Kenneth Keteh, 33, was indicted on nine charges including misconduct involving weapons and misconduct involving a controlled substance aiding, abetting tampering with evidence, aiding and abetting misconduct involving weapons. He allegedly met with Amanda Phillips, 26, at the Breakwater Inn shortly after Depasquale was injured and allegedly threatened to kill Torres. Later, Keteh and Thomas pursued Torres and Amanda northbound on Egan Drive sometime between 4:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. and as many as 10 gunshots were exchanged between the two vehicles.

Stacie Arnold and Phillips, an unindicted co-defendant, testified before the grand jury on Friday. Phillips was initially charged with hiding the gun that Depasquale tried to use at the Coho Park Apartments.

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