GUILTY AK - Shelley Connolly, 16, Anchorage, 7 Jan 1978 *Arrest in 2019*

Monday, November 27th:
*Trial set to begin (@ 8:30am PT) – AK – Shelley Connolly (16) (January 7, 1978, Anchorage) - *Donald Frances McQuade (21 @ time of crime/62/now 67) arrested & charged (8/30/19), arraigned (9/4/19) & indicted (10/3/19) with 1 count of 1st degree murder & 1 count of 2nd degree murder. $1M cash bond (Alaska). Judge reduced (4/1/20) to $10K CASH bail & $50K unsecured bond & 24-hour location monitoring. Arrested in Oregon & extraditing to Alaska on 10/2/19. Out on bond (1/6/21).
New advances in DNA help this case. GEDMatch & “genetic genealogy”. Admits to having sex with Shelley, but denies killing her.
Trial set to begin on 11/27/23.
Judge Andrew Peterson presiding. Prosecutor Erin F. McCarthy. Defense attorney Kyle Mitchell Barber.

Court info from 9/4/19 thru 3/20/23 reference post #144 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...orage-7-jan-1978-arrest-in-2019.322252/page-8

8/14/23 Update: Felony trial scheduling Order. Next trial call hearing on 10/3/23 @ 2:30pm. 10/2/23 Update: Notice of experts: Norman Thompson & Jennifer Foster filed by attorney Erin F. McCarthy. 10/3/23: Administration Judicial reassignment. 10/16/23 Update: Notice of Expert-Jessica Hogan on behalf of State. 10/19/23 Update: Recusal by Judge.
10/20/23: Request for status hearing attorney Erin F. McCarthy. 10/26/23: Notice of expert: Dr. Karl Reich attorney Benjamin Seth Dresner. Confidential filing by attorney Benjamin Dresner. 10/31/23 Update: Notice of co-counsel entry of appearance attorney Kyle Mithcell Barber representing defendant McQuade as of 10/31/23. Public Defender Agency. Next status hearing on 11/3/23 in front of Judge Andrew Peterson.
11/6/23 Update: Notice of Intent to reply on Certified records of regularly conducted activity pursuant to Alask Rules of Evidence 902(11) & 803(6) filed by Erin F. McCarthy on behalf of State. Next trial set to begin on 11/27/23.
 
Going to assume jury selection began yesterday? Not finding anything in articles.

Tuesday, November 28th:
*Trial continues (Day 2) (@ 8:30am PT) – AK – Shelley Connolly (16) (January 7, 1978, Anchorage) - *Donald Frances McQuade (21 @ time of crime/62/now 67) arrested & charged (8/30/19), arraigned (9/4/19) & indicted (10/3/19) with 1 count of 1st degree murder & 1 count of 2nd degree murder. $1M cash bond (Alaska). Judge reduced (4/1/20) to $10K CASH bail & $50K unsecured bond & 24-hour location monitoring. Arrested in Oregon & extraditing to Alaska on 10/2/19. Out on bond (1/6/21).
New advances in DNA help this case. GEDMatch & “genetic genealogy”. Admits to having sex with Shelley, but denies killing her.
Trial began on 11/27/23.
Judge Andrew Peterson presiding. Prosecutor Erin F. McCarthy. Defense attorney Kyle Mitchell Barber.

Court info from 9/4/19 thru 11/6/23 reference post #164 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...orage-7-jan-1978-arrest-in-2019.322252/page-9

11/21/23 Docket Update: Supplemental Notice of expert-Norman Thompson, Leanne Strickland & Jessica Hogan (nee Cohen) filed by attorney Erin F. McCarthy. State's Motion (#7) for video conference testimony of rebuttal witnesses arising from Smithhart Notice filed by McCarthy. State's motion (#6) for video conference testimony by Leanne Strickland filed by McCarthry. 11/24/23 Update: Media coverage/application & approval-KTUU KYES TV.
11/27/23 Monday, Trial Day 1: Jury selection begins. No info available. Trial continues on Tuesday, 11/28/23.
 
The most recent articles I am coming up with is 2022... anyone have better luck than me?

Wednesday, November 29th:
*Trial continues (Day 3) (@ 8:30am PT) – AK – Shelley Connolly (16) (January 7, 1978, Anchorage) - *Donald Frances McQuade (21 @ time of crime/62/now 67) arrested & charged (8/30/19), arraigned (9/4/19) & indicted (10/3/19) with 1 count of 1st degree murder & 1 count of 2nd degree murder. $1M cash bond (Alaska). Judge reduced (4/1/20) to $10K CASH bail & $50K unsecured bond & 24-hour location monitoring. Arrested in Oregon & extraditing to Alaska on 10/2/19. Out on bond (1/6/21).
New advances in DNA help this case. GEDMatch & “genetic genealogy”. Admits to having sex with Shelley, but denies killing her.
Trial began on 11/27/23.
Judge Andrew Peterson presiding. Prosecutor Erin F. McCarthy. Defense attorney Kyle Mitchell Barber.

Court info from 9/4/19 thru 11/21/23 reference post #167 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...orage-7-jan-1978-arrest-in-2019.322252/page-9

11/27/23 Monday, Trial Day 1: Jury selection begins. No info available. Trial continues on Tuesday, 11/28/23.
11/28/23 Tuesday, Trial Day 2: No info available. Trial continues on Wednesday, 11/29/23.
 
Finally an article!


Nov. 29, 2023
More than 45 years after the discovery of Anchorage resident Shelley Connolly’s body, her accused killer is now on trial.
[.....]
After another four years, including a coronavirus pandemic in between that delayed many trials, jurors heard opening statements in the case Wednesday.

“Obviously, Shelley can’t come here today to tell you what happened to her on Jan. 7, 1978,” Assistant Attorney General Paige Smothers told the jury. “But the evidence from her body tells us how she died. Her body shows us the wounds that were inflicted on her. Her body tells us how long she lived after she received those wounds. Her body tells us who inflicted them and how.”
[.....]
Kyle Barber, an attorney with the Public Defender Agency, is representing McQuade. Barber told the jury that McQuade was never a suspect, up until 2019, and pointed to two other men police never ruled out. Both have since died.
[.....]
The trial is expected to continue for four to six weeks.

A Department of Law spokesperson says this is only the second time a case involving genetic genealogy has ever gone to trial in Alaska.
 
Corrected my notes...

Thursday, November 30th:

*Trial continues (Day 2) (@ 8:30am PT) – AK – Shelley Connolly (16) (January 7, 1978, Anchorage) - *Donald Frances McQuade (21 @ time of crime/62/now 67) arrested & charged (8/30/19), arraigned (9/4/19) & indicted (10/3/19) with 1 count of 1st degree murder & 1 count of 2nd degree murder. $1M cash bond (Alaska). Judge reduced (4/1/20) to $10K CASH bail & $50K unsecured bond & 24-hour location monitoring. Arrested in Oregon & extraditing to Alaska on 10/2/19. Out on bond (1/6/21).
New advances in DNA help this case. GEDMatch & “genetic genealogy”. Admits to having sex with Shelley, but denies killing her.
Trial began on 11/27/23 with jury selection & ended 11/28/23. Trial expected to last 4 to 6 weeks.
Judge Andrew Peterson presiding. Prosecutor Erin F. McCarthy & Assistant Attorney General Paige Smothers. Defense attorneys Kyle Mitchell Barber & Benjamin Dresner.

Court info from 9/4/19 thru 11/21/23 reference post #167 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...orage-7-jan-1978-arrest-in-2019.322252/page-9

11/27/23 Monday, Jury Selection Day 1: Jury selection begins. No info available. Trial continues on Tuesday, 11/28/23.
11/28/23 Tuesday, Jury Selection Day 2: Jury selection continues. Jury selected.
Trial begins on Wednesday, 11/29/23.
11/29/23 Wednesday, Trial Day 1: Opening statements by Assistant Attorney General Paige Smothers & defense attorney Kyle Barber.
For more info see post #169 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...orage-7-jan-1978-arrest-in-2019.322252/page-9

Trial continues on Thursday, 11/30/23.
 
The only articles I am finding are for Wednesday, nothing for yesterday...

Friday, December 1st:
*Trial continues (Day 3) (@ 8:30am PT) – AK – Shelley Connolly (16) (January 7, 1978, Anchorage) - *Donald Frances McQuade (21 @ time of crime/62/now 67) arrested & charged (8/30/19), arraigned (9/4/19) & indicted (10/3/19) with 1 count of 1st degree murder & 1 count of 2nd degree murder. $1M cash bond (Alaska). Judge reduced (4/1/20) to $10K CASH bail & $50K unsecured bond & 24-hour location monitoring. Arrested in Oregon & extraditing to Alaska on 10/2/19. Out on bond (1/6/21).
New advances in DNA help this case. GEDMatch & “genetic genealogy”. Admits to having sex with Shelley, but denies killing her.
Trial began on 11/27/23. Expected to last 4 to 6 weeks.
Judge Andrew Peterson presiding. Prosecutor Erin F. McCarthy & Assistant Attorney General Paige Smothers. Defense attorneys Kyle Mitchell Barber & Benjamin Dresner.

Court info from 9/4/19 thru 11/21/23 & Jury selection Day 1-2 (11/27 & 11/28/23) & Trial Day 1 (11/29/23) reference post #170 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...orage-7-jan-1978-arrest-in-2019.322252/page-9

11/30/23 Thursday, Trial Day 2: State witnesses: No info available. Trial continues on Friday, 12/1/23.
 

Thank you! I shall correct my notes...
Writing A Long Essay Smiley
 
Monday, December 4th:
*Trial continues (Day 2) (@ 8:30am PT) – AK – Shelley Connolly (16) (January 7, 1978, Anchorage) - *Donald Frances McQuade (21 @ time of crime/62/now 67) arrested & charged (8/30/19), arraigned (9/4/19) & indicted (10/3/19) with 1 count of 1st degree murder & 1 count of 2nd degree murder. $1M cash bond (Alaska). Judge reduced (4/1/20) to $10K CASH bail & $50K unsecured bond & 24-hour location monitoring. Arrested in Oregon & extraditing to Alaska on 10/2/19. Out on bond (1/6/21).
New advances in DNA help this case. GEDMatch & “genetic genealogy”. Admits to having sex with Shelley, but denies killing her.
Trial began on 11/29/23. Expected to last 4 to 6 weeks.
Judge Andrew Peterson presiding. Prosecutor Erin F. McCarthy & Assistant Attorney General Paige Smothers. Defense attorneys Kyle Mitchell Barber & Benjamin Dresner.

Court info from 9/4/19 thru 11/21/23 & Jury selection Day 1-2(11/27 & 11/28/23) & Trial Day 1 (11/29/23) reference post #170 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...orage-7-jan-1978-arrest-in-2019.322252/page-9

11/28/23 Docket update: Order granting State's motion (#6) for video conference testimony-Leanne Strickland on record. Order granting State's motion (#7) for video conference testimony of rebuttal witnesses arising from Smithhart Notice on Record.
11/30/23 Thursday: Trial-vacated for the day.

12/1/23 Friday, Status hearing held @ 11:30am. Trial continues on Monday, 12/4/23.
 
Not coming up with any articles on yesterday's trial... any updates in the docket @PayrollNerd ?

Tuesday, December 5th:
*Trial continues (Day 3) (@ 8:30am PT) – AK – Shelley Connolly (16) (January 7, 1978, Anchorage) - *Donald Frances McQuade (21 @ time of crime/62/now 67) arrested & charged (8/30/19), arraigned (9/4/19) & indicted (10/3/19) with 1 count of 1st degree murder & 1 count of 2nd degree murder. $1M cash bond (Alaska). Judge reduced (4/1/20) to $10K CASH bail & $50K unsecured bond & 24-hour location monitoring. Arrested in Oregon & extraditing to Alaska on 10/2/19. Out on bond (1/6/21).
New advances in DNA help this case. GEDMatch & “genetic genealogy”. Admits to having sex with Shelley, but denies killing her.
Trial began on 11/29/23. Expected to last 4 to 6 weeks.
Judge Andrew Peterson presiding. Prosecutor Erin F. McCarthy & Assistant Attorney General Paige Smothers. Defense attorneys Kyle Mitchell Barber & Benjamin Dresner.

Court info from 9/4/19 thru 11/21/23 & Jury selection Day 1-2 (11/27 & 11/28/23) & Trial Day 1 (11/29/23) & 12/1/23 reference post #174 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...orage-7-jan-1978-arrest-in-2019.322252/page-9

12/4/23 Monday, Trial Day 2: No info yet. Trial continues on Tuesday, 12/5/23.
 
Can not believe that I am not finding anything on this murder trial. After 45 years - no paper is interested in this case??!! Sad... :(

Anyone have better luck than me? I need info from day 2(12/4) to today...

Wednesday, Dec. 6th:
*Trial continues (Day 4) (@ 8:30am PT) – AK – Shelley Connolly (16) (January 7, 1978, Anchorage) - *Donald Frances McQuade (21 @ time of crime/62/now 67) arrested & charged (8/30/19), arraigned (9/4/19) & indicted (10/3/19) with 1 count of 1st degree murder & 1 count of 2nd degree murder. $1M cash bond (Alaska). Judge reduced (4/1/20) to $10K CASH bail & $50K unsecured bond & 24-hour location monitoring. Arrested in Oregon & extraditing to Alaska on 10/2/19. Out on bond (1/6/21).
New advances in DNA help this case. GEDMatch & “genetic genealogy”. Admits to having sex with Shelley, but denies killing her.
Trial began on 11/29/23. Expected to last 4 to 6 weeks.
Judge Andrew Peterson presiding. Prosecutor Erin F. McCarthy & Assistant Attorney General Paige Smothers. Defense attorneys Kyle Mitchell Barber & Benjamin Dresner.

Court info from 9/4/19 thru 11/21/23 & Jury selection Day 1-2 (11/27 & 11/28/23) & Trial Day 1 (11/29/23) & 12/1/23 reference post #174 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...orage-7-jan-1978-arrest-in-2019.322252/page-9

12/4/23 Monday, Trial Day 2: No info yet. Trial continues on Tuesday, 12/5/23.
12/5/23 Tuesday, Trial Day 3: No info yet. Trial continues on Wednesday, 12/6/23.
 

The state is expected to take several days to present its case, after that, the defense will get the opportunity to present its case to the jury.
 

Troopers said the cold case investigation of Connolly’s death turned up matches for three brothers, including McQuade, who was the only one living in Alaska at the time of the murder. Later, according to the troopers, the investigators got a direct match between DNA found on Connolly’s body and McQuade.
 

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