Judge approves pretrial release of murder suspect
The woman awaiting trial on charges of killing Richard "Buddy" George Jr. in their Angoon home left jail Monday for the first time since her July 29 arrest.
Denni R. Starr, 22, faces second-degree murder charges in George's July 26 death. George died from a knife wound in the back.
Juneau Superior Court Judge Larry Weeks granted a request from Starr's attorney Monday to release her to the care of a cousin and grandmother residing in the Mendenhall Valley. He also required a $10,000 bond. Starr had been held at the Lemon Creek Correctional Center in lieu of $50,000 bail.
At Monday's hearing, Weeks scheduled Starr's trial to begin Nov. 3 in Angoon.
While out of jail awaiting trial, Starr will not be allowed to see her children without someone present who has been approved by the district attorney's office, Weeks ordered. He suggested that person would probably be a member of George's family. George was the children's father.
When Starr appeared before Weeks on Sept. 5, she didn't have an attorney even though she had been represented by the Office of Public Advocacy. The office handles cases for criminal defendants who need a court-appointed attorney but have conflicts with the Public Defender's Office.
At the Sept. 5 hearing, Weeks ordered the agency to show cause why it shouldn't be held in contempt. Monday, he said he would not hold the office in contempt after Starr's attorney explained a misunderstanding about the hearing schedule.
Darrell Gardner from Anchorage said he had not been notified of the Sept. 5 hearing until after it had taken place. He had received notice of a hearing scheduled for Sept. 19.
Weeks noted that a calendar set up by Sitka Superior Court Judge Larry Zervos had scheduled a Sept. 19 hearing. Although Starr had been held at the Lemon Creek Correctional Center until today, a Sitka grand jury indicted her.
Weeks denied a defense request in August to release Starr into the home where her children were staying. One is 6 years old and one is about 18 months old.
Juneau District Attorney Patrick Gullufsen said in August that the older child was a witness who provided incriminating evidence to the Alaska State Troopers during the investigation.
"She is not to talk to the children about any of the things that went on in this case," Weeks told Starr's relatives in court. "And you're not to talk to the kids about anything that went on in this case."
He also told Starr's grandmother and cousin that if Starr left their supervision or violated any conditions of release, they would have to call police immediately or be held responsible.
Twice recently, he said, "nice women have gone to jail," because they didn't report violations of people they agreed to watch for the court.
• Tony Carroll can be reached at ony.carroll@juneauempire.com.