Closing arguments heard in troopers murder trial

  • Saturday, May 14, 2016 10:12pm
  • News

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — Nathanial Kangas reacted impulsively when he shot and killed two Alaska State Troopers at his home in the village of Tanana, his attorney told jurors at Kangas’ murder trial Friday.

Defense attorney Greg Parvin in closing arguments Friday asked jurors to consider the state of mind of Kangas on May 1, 2014, and convict him of manslaughter, not murder, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported.

Kangas was a “good, well-mannered” young man who reacted impulsively to “what he perceived as a lethal threat to his father,” Parvin said.

“He was reacting to a crisis situation in his mind,” Parvin said.

Kangas, 22, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder, assault and evidence tampering in the deaths of Trooper Sgt. Scott Johnson and Trooper Gabe Rich.

They had traveled to Tanana to arrest Kangas’ father, Arvid Kangas, who was suspected of threatening Tanana’s village public safety officer with a gun.

During a struggle to arrest Arvid Kangas, he and the officers tumbled into Kangas’ home. Investigators said Nathanial Kangas fired seven rifle shots, killing the officers at close range.

Parvin told jurors that Nathanial was a victim of his father’s indoctrination.

“He was a kid whose father saturated him in vitriol and hate,” Parvin said. “He did not intend to cause their death. The evidence in this case shows it’s manslaughter.”

District Attorney Greggory Olson told jurors the state had proved Nathanial meant to kill the troopers.

“His shots were accurate and they were precision. Remember where his father was? His father didn’t get shot,” Olson said.

Kangas could not use the excuse of defending someone to justify killing the officers, Olson said.

“The court has instructed you that defense of others is not applicable. If he killed those two troopers to defend his father, that’s intentional,” Olson said.

Jurors heard audio from recorders worn by both officers. The elder Kangas was recorded arguing with troopers and telling them they would have to kill him if they want to arrest him.

The sound clips recorded seven shots fired, followed by distressed howls from Nathanial.

More in News

People carrying flags and signs line the Sterling Highway for a “No Kings” protest in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna ‘No Kings’ protest draws hundreds

The nationwide protest came the same day as a military parade organized at the behest of the Trump administration.

Council member Jordan Chilson speaks during a Soldotna City Council work session in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna council mulls change to meeting time

Meetings would be moved from 6 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. under a resolution set to be considered on June 25.

Mountain View Elementary School is photographed on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Mountain View vandalized by children, police say

Staff who arrived at the school on Monday found significant damage, according to police.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy compares Alaska to Mississippi data on poverty, per-pupil education spending, and the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress 4th grade reading scores during a press conference on Jan. 31, 2025. Alaska is highlighted in yellow, while Mississippi is in red. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Dunleavy vetoes education funding to $500 BSA increase

Per-student funding was increased by $700 in an education bill passed by the Alaska Legislature in May.

The entrance to the Kenai Peninsula Job Center is seen here in Kenai, Alaska on April 15, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)
Minimum wage increases to $13 per hour on July 1

Since 2014, Alaska’s minimum wage has increased from $7.75 to $11.91 through the Alaska Wage and Hour Act.

Leads for the Sterling Safety Corridor Improvements Project field questions and showcase their “preferred design” during an open house meeting at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Preferred design alternative for Sterling Highway safety corridor introduced at town hall

The project is intended to redesign and construct improvements to the highway to reduce the number of fatal and serious collisions.

Alaska State Troopers badge. File photo
Recovered remains confirmed to be missing Texas boaters; fourth set of remains found

Remains were recovered from the vessel sank that in Kachemak Bay last August.

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland speaks during a meeting of the KPBSD Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
KPBSD issues notice of non-retention to pool managers, theater techs and library aides

Those notices were issued due to the ongoing uncertainty in state education funding.

National Guard members put on hazmat suits before entering the simulation area on Monday, June 9, 2025. (Natalie Buttner / Juneau Empire)
National Guard begins exercise in Juneau simulating foreign terrorist attacks

Operation ORCA brings 100 personnel to Juneau, disrupts traffic around Capitol.

Most Read