AK: Kotze-blawg

Retrial for Owens to begin

Eight months have passed since a mistrial was declared in the murder case against a former Nome police officer. Tuesday, the second trial will start for 30-year-old Matthew Owens, who is accused of killing 19-year-old Sonya Ivanoff in August 2003.

It is an all too familiar road for all parties involved in the murder of Sonya Ivanoff. Her father says he hopes the jurors Kotzebue has to offer will be able to recognize the truth...

It was Aug. 13, 2003 when 19-year-old Sonya Ivanoff was reported missing. Her body was found the next night at an abandoned gold mine two miles outside of Nome. Nome police officer Matthew Owens, then 28 years old, was arrested in late October 2003, accused of shooting Ivanoff in the head.

His trial began in January 2005. After six weeks of testimony and six days of deliberations, a mistrial was declared, as 10 jurors voted to convict, two voted to acquit...

Another interesting twist: James McComas, Owens’ defense attorney during the first trial, is back as co-counsel. Owens was appointed a public defender with the office of public advocacy after it was said he was broke and couldn't afford to keep McComas...

Regular readers of the various p.d. blogs already know Owens' public defender. Wish them well on the task ahead.