Jury convicts man of manslaughter in daughter's death

WASILLA — A Palmer jury found a 70-year-old man who shot and killed his daughter during an argument at their home in October 2014 guilty of manslaughter Friday, May 20.

Attorneys in the trial of Michael Wolverton argued about the motive behind the killing, but none of the central evidence surrounding the death of Shannan Wolverton was in dispute. Prosecutors said Michael Wolverton killed his daughter in part because she had challenged and taunted him, and because he was angry about his daughter’s lifestyle.

Defense attorneys argued Michael Wolverton shot his 47-year-old daughter in self-defense when an argument over a visitor to the house they shared along Mariah Drive in the Fishhook community threatened to turn violent.

Michael Wolverton suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). He called authorities after the shooting to report the shooting. During interviews with Alaska State Trooper investigators, he made statements appearing to contradict the self-defense explanation, resulting in the murder charge.

Jury deliberations began Tuesday afternoon and lasted until Friday morning. Sentencing in the case is set for Sept. 30.

Manslaughter — killing without premeditated malice — is a Class A felony in Alaska, meaning Wolverton faces a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. Wolverton’s previous history in Alaska courts consists of two speeding tickets.

The jury also acquitted Michael Wolverton of the more serious crime of second-degree murder he had originally faced in connection with the shooting.

Michael Wolverton has been out on $75,000 bail since November 2014.

Contact reporter Brian O’Connor at 352-2270, brian.oconnor@frontiersman.com, or on Twitter @reporterbriano.