Alaskan

Judge Delays Resentencing of Youngest Alaskan Female Murder Convict Until Next Week

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ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A judge has postponed the resentencing of the youngest woman in Alaska to be convicted of murder until next week. The decision comes as attorneys prepare additional arguments regarding her case, which has garnered significant public and media interest. The woman, who was 16 at the time of the crime, was initially sentenced to 99 years in prison. Her conviction drew attention not only for its severity but also for the circumstances surrounding the case, which involved a fatal shooting that shook the community. During the hearing, attorneys for the defendant argued … Read more

Bridging Cultures: Judge David Avraham Voluck Harmonizes Indigenous Justice with Environmental Law in Alaskan Tribal Courts

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Sitka, Alaska – David Avraham Voluck, a distinguished member of the Chabad Lubavitch movement, serves as Chief Judge of the Sitka Tribal Court, where he facilitates dispute resolution among the Tlingit and Haida nations. His reputation for wisdom and fairness has led him to be invited as a judge for various other tribes, including the Unangan Aleuts of St. Paul Island and the Chickaloon Village Traditional Council. Voluck’s commitment to the cultural integrity of Alaskan Natives is evident in his work. With a background in environmental law, he often finds himself in a unique position … Read more

Alaskan Federal Judge Resigns Amidst Abuse Allegations, Exposes Gaps in Judicial Clerk Protection Measures

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Anchorage, Alaska — The resignation of U.S. District Judge Joshua Kindred, following allegations of abusive behavior toward his clerks, has spotlighted the ongoing concerns about the environment in which the judiciary’s most junior staffers work. Despite recent efforts to reinforce workplace protections, this high-profile case illustrates potential gaps in the safeguarding of these workers, as revealed in a Monday announcement of Kindred’s departure. Kindred, who served on the bench in Alaska, stepped down amid findings from an investigation that stretched over 18 months into reports of his misconduct towards his clerks. Though the specifics of … Read more

Retired Judge’s Victory: Unusual Criminal Charge Dismissed in Alaskan Grand Jury Case

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ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A retired judge in Anchorage, Alaska, has been cleared of an “extremely unusual” criminal charge brought against her by a grand jury, marking a significant victory for former judge Margaret Murphy and a setback for conservative legal activists. The charge of perjury against Murphy, which was included in an indictment with minimal details, was dismissed by Superior Court Judge Thomas A. Matthews. The case, which emerged from a broader investigation by a Kenai grand jury, diverged from the norm as it was initiated by the grand jury rather than a state prosecutor. … Read more