Almandinger sentencing delayed again

PALMER — Erick Almandinger appeared in court on Thursday for a status hearing to determine when he would be sentenced, but that question still remains unanswered.

Almandinger was the first of four charged with the murder of Palmer teen David Grunwald on November 13, 2016. Dominic Johnson was also convicted on all charges and awaits sentencing. Bradley Renfro and Austin Barrett will be tried together in Fairbanks later this year.

“What I’m hearing is really the sentencing is going to occur next year and when I look at it, part of me says that it maybe it is better just to in some ways if not join them all back up for sentencing, have all of them set for sentencing during the same week because we already got a hint from the first set of motion practice that there is going to be some finger pointing, quote unquote or at least argument that some people influenced others and I think having all the sentencings somewhat at the same time period provides rebuttal opportunities who recall the more mature people and the more significant players in this case,” District Attorney Roman Kalytiak said.

Almandinger showed up to the courtroom with new representation. Former attorney John Iannancone took a job with the District Attorney’s office and the Office of Public Advocacy appointed John Putikka from Bethel to represent Almandinger.

“I’m in the unique position of being the least informed person in the courtroom,” Putikka said.

Putikka asked for 90 days to review the case material. Putikka said that he had met Almandinger for the first time on Wednesday for about an hour, and just this week received a box full of material for review before representing Almandinger. He did have a brief discussion on the phone with Iannancone about his strategy, but needed more time. Superior Court Judge Gregory Heath postponed the status hearing until late July or August.

“It’s going to take me some time to delve into that to properly advise my client,” Putikka said.

Contact Frontiersman reporter Tim Rockey at tim.rockey@frontiersman.com.