Court

A recent photo of Anesha "Duffy" Murnane, missing since Oct. 17, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo provided, Homer Police Department)

Calderwood pleads guilty to murder of Homer woman

Kirby Calderwood pleaded guilty to the 2019 murder of Anesha “Duffy” Murnane on Feb. 5, four years after his arrest in 2022.

 

State of Alaska Department of Law logo. Photo courtesy of the State of Alaska Department of Law

Kenai man sentenced for sexual abuse charges

Ollie Garrett, 62, will serve 15 years in prison for sexual abuse of a minor.

 

File photo.

Kenai man sentenced to 66 years for 2022 murder

Kevin Park pleaded guilty to first-degree murder for the killing of Stephanie Henson.

 

Shrubs grow outside of the Kenai Courthouse on Monday, July 3, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Change of plea hearing set for Calderwood

A sentencing date and location will be determined at the next hearing on Feb. 5.

Shrubs grow outside of the Kenai Courthouse on Monday, July 3, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A photo of Anesha “Duffy” Murnane, missing since Oct. 17, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo provided, Homer Police Department)

Calderwood pretrial hearing rescheduled

The omnibus hearing for Kirby Calderwood was continued to Jan. 21. Trial week is currently scheduled for Feb. 17, barring finalization of a plea agreement.

A photo of Anesha “Duffy” Murnane, missing since Oct. 17, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo provided, Homer Police Department)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Joseph Miller Jr. and Jason Woodruff, Alaska State Troopers charged with felony first-degree assault, appear with their lawyers, Clinton Campion and Matthew Widmer, for an arraignment at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai<ins>, Alaska,</ins> on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024.

2 Soldotna troopers indicted on federal civil rights violations

Joseph Miller and Jason Woodruff were charged with federal criminal civil rights violations on Dec. 16.

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Joseph Miller Jr. and Jason Woodruff, Alaska State Troopers charged with felony first-degree assault, appear with their lawyers, Clinton Campion and Matthew Widmer, for an arraignment at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai<ins>, Alaska,</ins> on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024.
State of Alaska Department of Law logo. Photo courtesy of the State of Alaska Department of Law

Kenai man sentenced for sexual abuse of minor, possession of child pornography

Joshua Aseltine was sentenced on Dec. 4 to serve 28 years in prison.

State of Alaska Department of Law logo. Photo courtesy of the State of Alaska Department of Law
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Kenai man sentenced for sexual abuse of a minor

Jeremiah Barton was sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty.

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State of Alaska Department of Law logo. Photo courtesy of the State of Alaska Department of Law

Soldotna man sentenced for sexual abuse of a minor

Kris Overlander will serve 25 years in prison, followed by 20 years on felony probation.

State of Alaska Department of Law logo. Photo courtesy of the State of Alaska Department of Law
State of Alaska Department of Law logo. Photo courtesy of the State of Alaska Department of Law

Kenai man indicted for sexual abuse

Aaron “Scott” Merritt was indicted by a Kenai jury for sexual abuse crimes committed between 1998 and 2002.

State of Alaska Department of Law logo. Photo courtesy of the State of Alaska Department of Law
Arturo Mondragon-Lopez, Jr. (right) attends a change of plea hearing related to the October 2023 fatal shooting of Brianna Hetrick on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, at the Homer Courthouse in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Mondragon-Lopez sentenced for death of Homer woman

Arturo Mondragon-Lopez, Jr. accepted a plea deal in February for the shooting of Brianna Hetrick.

Arturo Mondragon-Lopez, Jr. (right) attends a change of plea hearing related to the October 2023 fatal shooting of Brianna Hetrick on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, at the Homer Courthouse in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
State of Alaska Department of Law logo. Photo courtesy of the State of Alaska Department of Law

Homer woman sentenced for 2020 murder

Sarah Dayan was convicted in December for the murder of Keith Huss.

State of Alaska Department of Law logo. Photo courtesy of the State of Alaska Department of Law
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Homer man sentenced for illegally transporting black bears

Travis Larson pleaded guilty to four counts of violating the Lacey Act in October 2024.

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Josiah Kelly, right, appears for a superior court arraignment at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Competency exam scheduled for Kelly

Josiah Kelly was arrested in November for three shooting incidents in Homer.

Josiah Kelly, right, appears for a superior court arraignment at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Homer Courthouse. (Homer News file photo)
The Homer Courthouse. (Homer News file photo)

Plea change hearing scheduled for Mondragon-Lopez

Arturo Mondragon-Lopez Jr. was charged in October 2023 for the murder of Brianna Hetrick.

The Homer Courthouse. (Homer News file photo)
The Homer Courthouse. (Homer News file photo)
The Kenai Courthouse is photographed on Monday, July 3, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna man found guilty of attempted indecent viewing of minors

Isaac Davis was arrested in 2022 for photographing women and girls at Skyview Middle School pool

The Kenai Courthouse is photographed on Monday, July 3, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Troopers investigate a shooting scene on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021, at the Anchor Point Warehouse in Anchor Point, Alaska, at the store on the Sterling Highway in which an Alaska State Trooper was shot. Bret Herrick, 62, of Anchor Point was sentenced on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, for the attempted murder of Alaska State Trooper Bruce Brueggeman and related crimes that occurred outside the grocery store. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Anchor Point man sentenced for attempted murder of state trooper

Herrick received a composite sentence of 74 years with 15 years suspended

Alaska State Troopers investigate a shooting scene on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021, at the Anchor Point Warehouse in Anchor Point, Alaska, at the store on the Sterling Highway in which an Alaska State Trooper was shot. Bret Herrick, 62, of Anchor Point was sentenced on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, for the attempted murder of Alaska State Trooper Bruce Brueggeman and related crimes that occurred outside the grocery store. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
The Alaska Judicial Council listens to public testimony during the public hearing held as part of the selection process for a new Kenai Superior Court Judge on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska. Members include (from left to right) Geraldine Simon, Lynne Gallant, Dave Parker, Chief Justice Daniel E. Winfree, Kristie Babcock, Patricia A. Collins and Jonathon Katcher. They would ultimately name Kelly J. Lawson as one of the four nominees for the role. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Lawson named to Kenai Superior Court

Lawson is a victim rights’ attorney from Anchorage

The Alaska Judicial Council listens to public testimony during the public hearing held as part of the selection process for a new Kenai Superior Court Judge on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska. Members include (from left to right) Geraldine Simon, Lynne Gallant, Dave Parker, Chief Justice Daniel E. Winfree, Kristie Babcock, Patricia A. Collins and Jonathon Katcher. They would ultimately name Kelly J. Lawson as one of the four nominees for the role. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Chief Justice Daniel E. Winfree speaks during a public vote of the Alaska Judicial Council held as part of the selection process for a new Kenai Superior Court Judge on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

4 nominated to fill Kenai Superior Court seat

Gov. Mike Dunleavy has 45 days to appoint one of the nominees selected by the council to the position.

Chief Justice Daniel E. Winfree speaks during a public vote of the Alaska Judicial Council held as part of the selection process for a new Kenai Superior Court Judge on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Alaska Judicial Council listens to public testimony during the public hearing held as part of the selection process for a new Kenai Superior Court Judge on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska. Members include (from left to right) Geraldine Simon, Lynne Gallant, Dave Parker, Chief Justice Daniel E. Winfree, Kristie Babcock, Patricia A. Collins and Jonathon Katcher. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Judicial Council hears testimony on Kenai Superior Court candidates

Tuesday at 4 p.m., a public vote will be held by the Judicial Council to determine which candidates will be nominated for the position

The Alaska Judicial Council listens to public testimony during the public hearing held as part of the selection process for a new Kenai Superior Court Judge on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska. Members include (from left to right) Geraldine Simon, Lynne Gallant, Dave Parker, Chief Justice Daniel E. Winfree, Kristie Babcock, Patricia A. Collins and Jonathon Katcher. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)