Almandinger’s sentencing put on hold until final two Grunwald murder cases conclude

PALMER — Erick Almandinger, the first of four people in the Grunwald murder trial to be convicted, had his sentencing postponed until his co-defendants Bradley Renfro and Austin Barrett are finished with their trials.

Palmer Judge Gregory Heath severed Austin Barrett and Bradley Renfro’s joint murder trial during an evidentiary hearing on Thursday, just two days before they were to face trial in Fairbanks. The two will now be tried separately and the jury selection for Renfro’s trial starts Monday, Aug. 26 in Fairbanks.

Almandinger’s latest defense attorney John Putikka requested a continuance to go over the case file more thoroughly. He took the case from Almandinger’s previous public defender, Jon Iannaccone about four months ago.

“I’m a little concerned because it doesn’t sound like much has been done since our last status hearing,” Palmer District Attorney Roman Kalytiak said.

Putikka said that he spent about 10 weeks going over the case information to get caught up. He said that he’s working with the Office of Public Advocacy to assess the cost of getting a psychological test for Almandinger prior to sentencing.

In light of the recent decision to sever Barrett and Renfro’s case, Heath said that he would like all four trials concluded before Alamindger’s final sentencing.

“… I need to have the entire picture before I can even go forward. But, on the other hand, I need to keep the defense going forward. I can’t keep putting this off forever,” Heath said.

Heath said they’ll reconvene Dec. 15 at 9 a.m. which should be enough time to hear back from the experts.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com