In this Oct. 9 photo, Brian Steven Smith attends his arraignment on a charge of first-degree murder in Anchorage. Losing a digital memory card that contained photos and videos of a horrendous killing may have been careless, but what led police to charge Smith was something he had no control over whatsoever: His South African accent. (Loren Holmes | Anchorage Daily News via AP)

Distinctive accent on torture video leads police to suspect

The suspect in a brutal torture killing led police right to him.

  • Oct 21, 2019
  • By MARK THIESSEN Associated Press
  • NewsCrime
In this Oct. 9 photo, Brian Steven Smith attends his arraignment on a charge of first-degree murder in Anchorage. Losing a digital memory card that contained photos and videos of a horrendous killing may have been careless, but what led police to charge Smith was something he had no control over whatsoever: His South African accent. (Loren Holmes | Anchorage Daily News via AP)
Outcry over dog being shot turned out to be fishy

Outcry over dog being shot turned out to be fishy

Concerns about his odor are very real, though.

Outcry over dog being shot turned out to be fishy
79-year-old man beaten brutally

79-year-old man beaten brutally

The victim needed three days rest before he could make it to the hospital.

79-year-old man beaten brutally
Police calls for Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019

Police calls for Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019

This report contains public information available to the Empire from law enforcement and public safety agencies. This report includes arrest and citation information, not conviction… Continue reading

Police calls for Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019
Police calls for Friday, Oct. 18, 2019

Police calls for Friday, Oct. 18, 2019

This report contains public information available to the Empire from law enforcement and public safety agencies. This report includes arrest and citation information, not conviction… Continue reading

Police calls for Friday, Oct. 18, 2019
In this April 18, 2019, file photo, Attorney General William Barr speaks about the release of a redacted version of special counsel Robert Mueller’s report during a news conference at the Department of Justice in Washington. (AP Photo | Patrick Semansky, File)

AFN highlights widespread public safety failings in rural communities

There’s deep fear concerning the state of Alaska’s public safety.

In this April 18, 2019, file photo, Attorney General William Barr speaks about the release of a redacted version of special counsel Robert Mueller’s report during a news conference at the Department of Justice in Washington. (AP Photo | Patrick Semansky, File)
Man heard in strangling video charged in 2nd death in Alaska

Man heard in strangling video charged in 2nd death in Alaska

Anchorage police identified that woman as Veronica Abouchuk.

  • Oct 17, 2019
  • By BECKY BOHRER and MARK THIESSEN Associated Press
  • NewsCrime
Man heard in strangling video charged in 2nd death in Alaska
Police calls for Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019

Police calls for Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019

This report contains public information available to the Empire from law enforcement and public safety agencies. This report includes arrest and citation information, not conviction… Continue reading

Police calls for Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019
Police calls for Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019

Police calls for Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019

This report contains public information available to the Empire from law enforcement and public safety agencies. This report includes arrest and citation information, not conviction… Continue reading

Police calls for Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019
Man-goes down for alleged fruit theft, high speed pursuit

Man-goes down for alleged fruit theft, high speed pursuit

The suspect was apprehended following a chase and a rollover.

Man-goes down for alleged fruit theft, high speed pursuit
Police calls for Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019

Police calls for Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019

This report contains public information available to the Empire from law enforcement and public safety agencies. This report includes arrest and citation information, not conviction… Continue reading

Police calls for Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019
Defense cites shaky timelines, questionable time of death in trial verdict
Defense cites shaky timelines, questionable time of death in trial verdict
Police calls for Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019

Police calls for Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019

This report contains public information available to the Empire from law enforcement and public safety agencies. This report includes arrest and citation information, not conviction… Continue reading

Police calls for Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019
Police calls for Friday, Oct. 11, 2019

Police calls for Friday, Oct. 11, 2019

This report contains public information available to the Empire from law enforcement and public safety agencies. This report includes arrest and citation information, not conviction… Continue reading

Police calls for Friday, Oct. 11, 2019
Police calls for Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019

Police calls for Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019

This report contains public information available to the Empire from law enforcement and public safety agencies. This report includes arrest and citation information, not conviction… Continue reading

Police calls for Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019
Police calls for Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019

Police calls for Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019

This report contains public information available to the Empire from law enforcement and public safety agencies. This report includes arrest and citation information, not conviction… Continue reading

Police calls for Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019
Police calls for Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019

Police calls for Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019

This report contains public information available to the Empire from law enforcement and public safety agencies. This report includes arrest and citation information, not conviction… Continue reading

Police calls for Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019
Prosecuting Attorney John Darnall, from the Office of Special Prosecutions, gives his closing argument in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, during the trial of Laron Carlton Graham. Graham is facing two counts of first-degree murder for the November 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Prosecution sticks to evidence as defense attacks witnesses in closing arguments

The trial for a 2015 double murder is now in the hands of the jury.

Prosecuting Attorney John Darnall, from the Office of Special Prosecutions, gives his closing argument in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, during the trial of Laron Carlton Graham. Graham is facing two counts of first-degree murder for the November 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Police calls for Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019

This report contains public information available to the Empire from law enforcement and public safety agencies. This report includes arrest and citation information, not conviction… Continue reading

The trial of Laron Carlton Graham for the murder of Elizabeth Tonsmeire and Robby Meireis continued in Juneau on Friday, Oct. 4, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The trial of Laron Carlton Graham for the murder of Elizabeth Tonsmeire and Robby Meireis continued in Juneau on Friday, Oct. 4, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)