Teens accused in Grunwald murder attend pretrial conference

PALMER — Three of the four teens accused of involvement in the kidnapping and murder of 16-year-old David Grunwald last November appeared in Palmer Superior Court Tuesday morning for their first pretrial conference before Judge Gregory Heath. Another was represented via teleconference. Erick Almandinger, Dominic Johnson and Austin Barrett entered the courtroom one at a time before the conference got underway.

The four Mat-Su teens, along with Devin Peterson, are currently jailed for their alleged involvement in the kidnapping, pistol-whipping and eventual fatal shooting of Grunwald. Peterson is facing tampering with evidence and hindering prosecution charges.

None of the accused spoke, instead letting their legal counsel address the court in the session, which took less than 10 minutes to complete once Heath opened the proceedings. Addressing each attorney, Heath came to the conclusion that a second pretrial conference is needed.

Attorney Jon Iannaccone appeared with Almandinger, while attorney Craig Howard teleconferenced in as Barrett sat with a court bailiff standing at his side. Johnson entered with Lyle Stohler from the Office of the Public Defender, while Renfro was represented by an OPD staffer filling in for public defender Joseph Van De Mark.

Heath questioned why Renfro wasn’t in the courtroom with the other three and was informed the accused was jailed in Anchorage and couldn’t be transported to Palmer for the conference. The judge was told that Van De Mark had spoken with Renfro and the accused was aware of the proceeding so there was no need for a continuance.

Palmer District Attorney Roman Kalytiak and Melissa Winninger-Howard, assistant DA, represented the state in the court.

When asked where things stand in the case, Kalytiak said most of the discovery on behalf of the state had been completed by his office. Kalytiak said he is in favor of a second pretrial conference later this year. Kalytiak suggested the court schedule one far enough ahead to allow the court to set a motion-filing deadline. Attorneys for the other three defendants concurred with Kalytiak’s statement informing the judge that more time for discovery was needed.

When Heath asked the defendants’ counsel for input, Howard suggested setting the date far enough ahead to allow the court to decide on a motion to sever he filed. The motion, which will be decided by the court, would separate the trial into at least two trials.

After listening to all sides give input, Heath set Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 8:30 a.m. for a second pretrial conference date.

“…With trial week of Oct. 16 knowing that that is going to be moved,” Heath said. “I would ask the parties to arrive at the next pretrial conference with ideas of motions deadline and how much time I’m going to need to look at arguments in pretrial motions.”

Heath said he would also like to have feedback from the state on how many experts he expects will testify and when the state would be looking at a trial date. Kalytiak answered, stating he figures a trial will get under way in 2018.

Almandinger, Renfro, Johnson and Barrett are each charged with one count of first-degree murder, one count of kidnapping, two counts of second-degree murder, felony murder and first-degree tampering with evidence. With the exception of Barrett, the other three also face first-degree tampering with evidence charges.

Peterson, who has an Aug. 25 pretrial conference on the docket, is charged with three counts of first-degree tampering with evidence and one count of first-degree hindering prosecution.

Grunwald’s murder received national attention after he was reported missing the evening of Nov. 13 after not returning from visiting his girlfriend in Palmer.

Alaska State Troopers and private investigators took over the case, and several searches by hundreds of people in the Mat-Su community were initiated. Troopers were led to Grunwald’s body in a remote area of Knik River Road Dec. 2 after interviewing Almandinger. Court reports allege all but Peterson were involved in or were an accomplice to recklessly causing serious physical injury to Grunwald as well as his murder.

According to police affidavits, Grunwald was still alive when he was taken out to a remote area near the Knik River. His Ford Bronco was found hours later completely burned on a trail outside Wasilla. According to the State Medical Examiner’s Office, Grunwald died of from a single gunshot wound. It also reported he had been badly beaten.

Contact reporter Chris Ford at 352-2270 or chris.ford@frontiersman.com