New Superior Court Judge Louis Menendez participated in a ceremonial version of an event held earlier in September.
Crime & Courts
Arkansas boys accused of Juneau teen’s murder want case dismissed
Three Arkansas teens accused of the murder of Kevin Thornton of Juneau say their cases should be dismissed. The motion will be heard by a judge today. Timothy Tyler Norwood, 16, Clinton Lavon Ross, 16, and Richard Shelby Wybark, 17, are charged with second-degree murder and an aggravating count of violent group activity. Their case…
Montana convict charged with homicide for 1996 Yakutat death
Robert D. Kowalski has been charged with first and second degree murder in connection with the death of Sandra M. Perry.
Tlingit and Haida gets federal funds to expand tribal court
The U.S. Justice Department has awarded the Tlingit and Haida Central Council nearly 900-thousand dollars to expand tribal court services. Currently, the court hears paternity and child support cases involving tribal members. Attorney Jessie Archibald with Tlingit and Haida’s Child Support Unit says the grant will eventually allow the court to hear domestic violence cases.…
Fishermen say they tried to tip investigators to Arne Fuglvog’s illegal fishing
When Senator Lisa Murkowski’s fisheries aide pulled out from consideration for an influential job in the Obama Administration two years ago, he said it was because the process was taking too long. It turns out Arne Fuglvog was under investigation by the very agency he would have run.
State wants court to order fast ferry engine fix
Alaska’s Marine Highway System wants a court to order the fast-ferry builder to provide new engines for the ships. State officials say engines on the Fairweather and Chenega are wearing out far faster than their warranties promised.
Tee Harbor man sentenced for feeding bears
A Tee Harbor man who was accused of feeding as much as 19,000 pounds of dog food to black bears over two seasons will avoid jail time, but he’ll have to pay a hefty fine and somehow help state biologists with their bear tracking or attractant mitigation efforts. Arnie Hanger, 66-years old, appeared before Juneau…
Juneau man sentenced for brutal assault of toddler
A Juneau man who beat a 2-year old girl so severely that she suffered brain damage will spend the next fifteen years in prison. 24-year old Nicholas W. Kokotovich was sentenced in Juneau Superior Court Wednesday afternoon on an assault charge. The sentence includes a total of 20-years with 5-years suspended. That’s the maximum allowed…
New judge for Juneau sworn in
Louis Menendez is the newest Superior Court Judge for Juneau. Menendez took the oath on Friday afternoon as administered by Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Walter Carpeneti by videoconference from Anchorage. Menendez was one of five people who originally applied for the seat being vacated by retiring Superior Court Judge Patricia Collins. Menendez was eventually…
Competency evaluation could delay trial in Hoonah shooting case
A Sitka judge wants another opinion on whether John Marvin, Jr. is competent to stand trial for the shooting of two Hoonah police officers last year. Superior Court Judge David George heard a set of different diagnoses during a competency hearing in Juneau on Tuesday. Judge George says another exam would help preserve Marvin’s rights…