LUTHERAN QUILTERS – Members of the Quilts for Comfort Group stand between pews draped with some of the 205 quilts they made, in the Sitka Lutheran Church Tuesday. The group made the quilts for five local non-profits and one in Anchorage. The remaining quilts are sent to Lutheran World Relief which distributes them to places around the world in need, such as Ukraine, as part of Personal Care Kits. Pictured are, from left, Helen Cunningham, Kathleen Brandt,Vicki Swanson, Paulla Hardy, Kim Hunter, Linda Swanson and Sue Fleming. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)
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Daily Sitka Sentinel
Judge: New Date Likely For Sitka Murder Trial
By SHANNNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Superior Court Judge David George at a status hearing Thursday set another status hearing for 3 p.m. Nov. 1 in the murder case against Reuben Yerkes, 39.
Yerkes is charged with three counts of murder in the first degree in the death of his girlfriend, Ali Clayton, 28, in her home on May 6. In a previous court hearing, Jan. 3, 2018, was set as the trial date.
Rueben Yerkes appears on a video screen Thursday at the Sitka Courthouse. (Sentinel Photo)
But after Thursday’s review of the time needed for the ongoing work of processing evidence, it became apparent to those in the Sitka courtroom that the trial date would have to be moved back from Jan. 3.
“We don’t think that’s a realistic trial date,” Assistant Public Defender Nathan Lockwood said.
At Thursday’s hearing, George asked for an update on evidence, including physical evidence and the more than 2,000 emails on Yerkes’ and Clayton’s work computers and cell phones. Both Yerkes and Clayton worked in the offices of the City and Borough of Sitka, and the attorney for the city is claiming privilege on a number of some 2,600 emails.
The city’s Seattle-based attorney, Michele Stephen, was not present in person or by phone. George said she should take part in the next status hearing to provide more information. But he said it sounded like the evidence review process would take through the end of January, given the slow progress.
“This recap makes it pretty clear to me it may be a while before all evidence is in,” George said.
But the judge said he didn’t want to change the trial date until he has a better idea of a realistic date, in order to avoid rescheduling the trial more than once.
“There are a lot of balls in the air,” George said.
He noted the stress on the Clayton family. “Let’s get more information.”
Lockwood said he plans to file a change of venue motion to move the trial out of Sitka.
The status hearing lasted about a half hour, with George, assistant district attorney Amanda Browning, and the Clayton family and friends present in the Sitka courtroom. Yerkes and Lockwood participated by video conference from Juneau. Assistant public defender Jude Pate, who was Yerkes’ first attorney of record in the murder case, was present by phone.
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20 YEARS AGO
March 2004
Advertisement: Tea-Licious Tea House & Bakery 315 Lincoln Street Grand Opening! Freshly Baked Scones, Cakes & Pastries Innovative Salads, Soups & Sandwiches Harney & Sons Tea. Lunch * Afternoon Tea * Supper.
50 YEARS AGO
March 1974
Photo caption: National Republican Chairman George Bush takes a drink of water offered by Jan Craddick, Sitka delegate, during the Republican convention held here. Mrs. Craddick explained to Bush that the water was from Indian River, which means, according to local legend, that he will return.