GUILTY AK - Sophie Sergie, 20, UAF student, murdered, Fairbanks, 26 April 1993 *Arrest in 2019*

[Niner]

Monday, August 9th:
*Status Hearing (@ 2:45pm AKST) – AK – Sophie Sergie (20) (April 26, 1993, Fairbanks) - *Steven Harris Downs (18 @ time of crime/44/now 46) arrested (in Auburn, Maine), charged (2/15/19), indicted (3/14/19) & arraigned (8/6/19 & 8/14/19) with 1st degree intentional murder & 1st degree sexual assault. Plead not guilty. Held without bond, changed to $1M (8/6/19). Bond changed (8/16/19) to $550K.
DNA GEDMatch/Parabon Nanolabs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP)). The Downs case may be the first real test of the limits of DNA forensics in criminal prosecutions — that this case may even reach the U.S. Supreme Court.
Trial set to begin on 1/3/22. (will last about 7 weeks).
Court information from 2/19/19 thru 5/12/21 reference post #138 here:
AK - Sophie Sergie, 20, UAF student, murdered, Fairbanks, 26 April 1993 *Arrest in 2019*
6/7/21 Update: Next evidentiary hearing on 7/8/21. 6/30/21: Steven Down's brief on proper relief for Rule 6 violations at Grand Jury procedural history; supplemental briefing on hearsay evidence at Grand Jury under Criminal Ryle 6(r)(1). 7/1/21: Order denying Motion #6-Motion to suppress. 7/8/21 Update: Evidentiary hearing was vacated. Next status hearing on 8/9/21.

 

[Niner]

@PayrollNerd - when you have time - just wondering if there might be a hearing before the 12/2 one.

TIA!

 

[PayrollNerd]

Here are the 2 screen clips I could get off my iPad. It is the summer thunderstorm timeframe so I don’t use my laptop when the weather is so crazy.


https://records.courts.alaska.gov/e...zBioR2d7BTzSULNfPSlDhlbkziL3ZjY8WjiN52jWf5M6w

 

[Niner]

Here are the 2 screen clips I could get off my iPad. It is the summer thunderstorm timeframe so I don’t use my laptop when the weather is so crazy.


https://records.courts.alaska.gov/e...zBioR2d7BTzSULNfPSlDhlbkziL3ZjY8WjiN52jWf5M6w

Thanks a bunch! Now I have dates all the way to January!

DOH! I had those dates except the November one....

 

[PayrollNerd]

Thanks a bunch! Now I have dates all the way to January!

DOH! I had those dates except the November one....

No worries. It could change again! It was hard for me to read, probably because I was so very tired, and it looked a bit blurry too. Here is a table that will hopefully be better.

01/03/2022 08:30 AM Scheduled Trial Week
12/20/2021 02:45 PM Pre-Trial Conference
12/07/2021 01:30 PM Calendar Call
12/02/2021 01:30 PM Omnibus Hearing: Superior Court
11/03/2021 09:30 AM Evidentiary Hearing

4FA-19-00504CR State of Alaska vs. Downs, Steven Harris
https://records.courts.alaska.gov/e...TBP2raKahKUr-fRXeuQOJyXtWmigSJy9sWnhRWSQN31YQ

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, November 3rd:
*Evidentiary Hearing (@ 9:30am AKST) – AK – Sophie Sergie (20) (April 26, 1993, Fairbanks) - *Steven Harris Downs (18 @ time of crime/44/now 46) arrested (in Auburn, Maine), charged (2/15/19), indicted (3/14/19) & arraigned (8/6/19 & 8/14/19) with 1st degree intentional murder & 1st degree sexual assault. Plead not guilty. Held without bond, changed to $1M (8/6/19). Bond changed (8/16/19) to $550K.
DNA GEDMatch/Parabon Nanolabs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP)). The Downs case may be the first real test of the limits of DNA forensics in criminal prosecutions — that this case may even reach the U.S. Supreme Court.
Trial set to begin on 1/3/22. (will last about 7 weeks)
Court information from 2/19/19 thru 6/30/21 reference post #142 here:
AK - Sophie Sergie, 20, UAF student, murdered, Fairbanks, 26 April 1993 *Arrest in 2019*
7/1/21: Order denying Motion #6-Motion to suppress. 7/8/21 Update: Evidentiary hearing was vacated. Next status hearing on 8/9/21. 8/4/21: Media Coverage/Application & approved. 8/6/21: Order re Media Applications. 8/9/21 Update: Next evidentiary hearing on 11/3/21.

 

[PayrollNerd]

Here is the update. It was kinda hard to format so I included a screenclip.

4FA-19-00504CR State of Alaska vs. Downs, Steven Harris

01/03/2022 08:30 AM Scheduled Trial Week
12/20/2021 02:45 PM Pre-Trial Conference
12/07/2021 01:30 PM Calendar Call
12/02/2021 01:30 PM Omnibus Hearing: Superior Court Hearing Vacated
11/04/2021 08:30 AM Evidentiary Hearing Hearing Held
11/03/2021 09:30 AM Evidentiary Hearing Hearing Reset



https://records.courts.alaska.gov/e...RlyE*AgPI2SFDoDx40-sBdW16QdbC1kYVysN23EuvgB0Q

 

[Jbetty567]

Thanks for posting. All eyes will be on this trial and its ramifications for the use of forensic genealogy in prosecutions! (where there is little to no other physical evidence or where there is only circumstantial evidence).

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, December 7th:
*Calendar Call Hearing (@ 1:30pm AKST) – AK – Sophie Sergie (20) (April 26, 1993, Fairbanks) - *Steven Harris Downs (18 @ time of crime/44/now 46) arrested (in Auburn, Maine), charged (2/15/19), indicted (3/14/19) & arraigned (8/6/19 & 8/14/19) with 1st degree intentional murder & 1st degree sexual assault. Plead not guilty. Held without bond, changed to $1M (8/6/19). Bond changed (8/16/19) to $550K.
DNA GEDMatch/Parabon Nanolabs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP)). The Downs case may be the first real test of the limits of DNA forensics in criminal prosecutions — that this case may even reach the U.S. Supreme Court.
Trial set to begin on 1/3/22. (will last about 7 weeks)
Court information from 2/19/19 thru 6/30/21 reference post #142 here:
AK - Sophie Sergie, 20, UAF student, murdered, Fairbanks, 26 April 1993 *Arrest in 2019*
7/1/21: Order denying Motion #6-Motion to suppress. 7/8/21 Update: Evidentiary hearing was vacated. Next status hearing on 8/9/21. 8/4/21: Media Coverage/Application & approved. 8/6/21: Order re Media Applications. 8/9/21 Update: Next evidentiary hearing on 11/3/21.
11/3/21 Update: Evidentiary hearing was moved to 11/4/21 & omnibus hearing on 12/2/21 was vacated. Next Calendar call hearing on 12/7/21.

 

[PayrollNerd]

4FA-19-00504CR State of Alaska vs. Downs, Steven Harris

1/03/2022 08:30 AM Scheduled Trial Week
12/20/2021 02:45 PM Pre-Trial Conference
12/07/2021 04:00 PM Calendar Call Hearing Held

Docket:


Event tab:


https://records.courts.alaska.gov/e...NDOvnYdpGz*2EWYMEs5RZPc6AtCwVpiGkPVSXrjBwUxzQ

 

[Niner]

Thank you @PayrollNerd !

 

[Gardenista]

Man accused of killing woman found in dorm bathtub in 1993 can present evidence about other suspects, judge rules

 

[PayrollNerd]

No changes to the court calendar but here are some details on the docket tab.

4FA-19-00504CR State of Alaska vs. Downs, Steven Harris TT

Docket Information

Date Docket Text
12/16/2021 Jury Timeline Document

12/16/2021 Confidential Jury Questionnaire

12/14/2021 Notice of Filing State's Proposed Jury Questionnaire

12/14/2021 Notice of Filing of Defendant's Proposed Jury Questionnaire

12/13/2021 Order Granting Motion in Part Case Motion #22 Defendant's Offer of Proof and Motion In Limine for Smithart Hearing to Determine Admissibility of Evidence of Alternate Suspects

12/13/2021 Order Granting Motion in Part Case Motion #9 Defendant's Motion in Limine Pertaining to Miscellaneous Evidentiary Issues



https://records.courts.alaska.gov/e...QCgUh6w8SFpPttjQ2KnY3MYEecumFMmZ0ZRtLxbNFB0og

 

[JerseyGirl]

The trial is due to start on Jan. 3.

Fairbanks judge allows evidence about alternative suspects in trial over murder of UAF student

 

[Niner]

Monday, December 20th:
*Pretrial Conference Hearing (@ 2:45pm AKST) – AK – Sophie Sergie (20) (April 26, 1993, Fairbanks) - *Steven Harris Downs (18 @ time of crime/44/now 46) arrested (in Auburn, Maine), charged (2/15/19), indicted (3/14/19) & arraigned (8/6/19 & 8/14/19) with 1st degree intentional murder & 1st degree sexual assault. Plead not guilty. Held without bond, changed to $1M (8/6/19). Bond changed (8/16/19) to $550K.
DNA GEDMatch/Parabon Nanolabs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP)). The Downs case may be the first real test of the limits of DNA forensics in criminal prosecutions — that this case may even reach the U.S. Supreme Court.
Trial set to begin on 1/3/22. (will last about 7 weeks).
Court information from 2/19/19 thru 8/9/21 reference post #150 here:
AK - Sophie Sergie, 20, UAF student, murdered, Fairbanks, 26 April 1993 *Arrest in 2019*
11/3/21 Update: Evidentiary hearing was moved to 11/4/21 & omnibus hearing on 12/2/21 was vacated. Next Calendar Call hearing on 12/7/21.
12/2/21: Order denying joint request for continuance of trial. 12/6/21: Defendant's Motion to Suppress 3rd party DNA evidence-denied. Waiver of speedy trial. 12/7/21 Update: Next pretrial conference hearing on 12/20/21 & trial still set on 1/3/22. 12/16/21: The Judge is allowing the defense to present evidence against three other men in an effort to raise reasonable doubt about Downs' guilt. They include Downs' roommate, who was employed by the school as a security guard & was fired for possession of a gun; a student seen leaving the bathroom where the body was found & who allegedly owned a gun; and a man whose deceased sister claimed he'd confessed. Downs' defense had sought to present evidence against 16 alternative suspects during the trial.
12/13/21: Order granting Motion in part case Motion #9 Defendant's Motion in Limine pertaining to miscellaneous evidentiary issues. Order granting Motion in part case Motion #22 defendant's offer of proof & Motion in Limine for Smithart hearing to determine admissibility of evidence of alternate suspects. 12/14/21: Notice of filing of defendant’s proposed jury questionnaire. 12/14/21: Notice of filing State's proposed jury questionnaire. 12/16/21: Confidential jury questionnaire. Jury timeline document.

 

[Niner]

and if you are still online @PayrollNerd - Any next court date - and hopefully the trial date hasn't changed on this!

TIA!

 

[PayrollNerd]

No changes to the court calendar but here are some details on the docket tab.

4FA-19-00504CR State of Alaska vs. Downs, Steven Harris TT

Docket Information

Date Docket Text
12/16/2021 Jury Timeline Document

12/16/2021 Confidential Jury Questionnaire

12/14/2021 Notice of Filing State's Proposed Jury Questionnaire

12/14/2021 Notice of Filing of Defendant's Proposed Jury Questionnaire

12/13/2021 Order Granting Motion in Part Case Motion #22 Defendant's Offer of Proof and Motion In Limine for Smithart Hearing to Determine Admissibility of Evidence of Alternate Suspects

12/13/2021 Order Granting Motion in Part Case Motion #9 Defendant's Motion in Limine Pertaining to Miscellaneous Evidentiary Issues

View attachment 326832

https://records.courts.alaska.gov/e...QCgUh6w8SFpPttjQ2KnY3MYEecumFMmZ0ZRtLxbNFB0og

Here are screenshots from my phone.

 

[Niner]

Thank you @PayrollNerd for taking the time out on your vaca! I'll check back in late next week.

 

[Niner]

@PayrollNerd - when you get settled - just wondering IF the trial is going to start on this Monday, 1/3?

TIA!

 

[Jbetty567]

Also wondering whether this will be televised? If not, anyone live Tweeting from the courtroom? I'm dying to watch.