Almandinger’s parents called in to testify

PALMER — Erick Almandinger sat through the third day of evidentiary hearing on Monday, Feb. 12 for his role in the killing of David Grunwald back in November of 2016. Almandinger’s parents, Rodney Almandinger and Chrystal Carlson took turns testifying on the witness stand.

“He believed he was untouchable and he was going to do whatever,” Carlson said.

Almandinger is one of four teens charged with the kidnapping and murder of fellow teen Grunwald. Almandinger is being tried separately from Austin Barrett, Dominic Johnson, Bradley Renfro. There’s a total of five teens alleged to be involved with Grunwald’s murder. The fifth suspect, Devin Peterson recently pleaded guilty to evidence tampering and hindering prosecution in January. More specifically, Peterson admitted guilt to hiding the guns used to pistol whip and ultimately kill Grunwald. He also admitted to providing two cans of gasoline to Almandinger so that he could burn Grunwald’s vehicle, miles from the point where authorities ultimately found the Palmer youth’s body.

Almandinger’s Attorney, Jon Iannaccone and District Attorney Roman Kalytiak argued over these grisly details, most specifically the use of the crime scene photos of Grunwald’s frozen body. Kalytiak advocated for the use of the photos, saying they were necessary for the “hows and whys and the details” of the case meant to prove the actions of the assailants was not a “spur of the moment thing.”

“Everyone knew what was going to happen in those dark woods,” Kalytiak said.

Iannaccone fired back, saying if the photos were to be used, they should be lower in quantity, smaller and in black and white. He said the pictures could evoke compromising emotions in the jury.

“The ‘who’ is very important and ‘the who’ can get lost in the very graphic pictures,” Iannaccone said.

When Rodney Almandinger was on the stand, Kalytiak pressed him about Erick’s social media accounts, referring to photos of Erick displaying signs of gang-related behaviors and mentality. Kalytiak asked Rodney about the pictures showing Erick garbed in a blue bandanna and flashing a ‘C’ with his hands.

“Doesn’t that mean ‘cool?’ ” Rodney said. “I see nothing that has to do with gang-related anything.”

Iannaccone motioned to suppress these pictures gathered from social media as evidence, as well as four interviews Erick had with Alaska State Troopers (AST) and the crime scene photographs of Grunwald’s frozen body. When Carlson was testifying about the night of her son’s arrest, she came into the police station with the impression that there was “so much against him.”

“He needed to cooperate 100 percent,” Carlson said. “He’s got a big chip on his shoulder.”

When Kalytiak asked about Carlson’s relationship with her son, she said that she hadn’t seen him in person for six months prior to his arrest. She continued to say that Almandinger had changed during that time and this wasn’t the kid she had become used to. Kalytiak repeatedly asked her about Almandinger’s intelligence and “cockiness.” He questioned her about what he had heard her say in a recording during Almandinger’s intake interview. He gave her a transcript and said that he heard her saying that she loves Erick and that “he’s so smart and this is in his control.”

“Erick thinks he’s pretty smart,” Carlson said.

Judge Gregory Heath said that he would take all of these factors into consideration and aims to come back for another status hearing within “a month or so.”

Almandinger’s trial is still set for May. Heath commented on the “uniqueness of this case,” particularly the heavy use of social media as evidence.

Kalytiak affirmed that his side, too, was traversing through new territory.

“Social media has really changed the entire game in the court,” Kalytiak said.