West Juneau stabbing suspect indicted on manslaughter charge

Juneau police investigate the scene of the alleged murder Dec. 3 on Douglas Island. (Photo by Elizabeth Jenkins/KTOO)
Juneau police investigate the scene of the alleged murder in West Juneau, Dec 3. (Photo by Elizabeth Jenkins/KTOO)

A Juneau grand jury on Friday indicted 19-year-old Kevin Scott Nauska on a charge of manslaughter in connection with the fatal stabbing of another man.

Nauska was arrested after the Dec. 3 incident at the Cedar Park housing development on West Juneau.

Juneau police say Nauska got into a fight with two other men over a piece of property and allegedly stabbed both of them. Jordon J. Sharclane, 37, died and his son, Michael Sharclane, 19, sustained serious injuries.

Thirteen witnesses – including the younger Sharclane – testified before the grand jury about the alleged crime and evidence gathered from the execution of seven search warrants.

The panel also considered additional charges of two counts of second degree murder and one count of first degree assault. In those instances, however, the grand jury did not find that there was enough evidence to support those charges.

Second degree murder means there must be evidence that the defendant intended to cause serious physical injury, knowingly engaged in conduct that could injure or kill someone, or engaged in conduct that reflected an extreme indifference to the value of human life.

The lesser charge of manslaughter is defined in Alaska statutes as intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing the death of someone under circumstances that do not amount to second degree murder.

A defendant convicted of manslaughter while using a dangerous instrument or weapon is usually sentenced to between seven and 11 years in prison. The maximum sentence for manslaughter is 20 years.

Nauska will be arraigned in Juneau Superior Court on Thursday.

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