Trial pushed back for man found with body

PALMER — Trial has been delayed for Frank Adams, the Wasilla man accused of murder after troopers found a woman’s body in the back of the car he was driving.

Adams, who was set to start his trial today, will not face a jury until at least Feb. 17, 2009, court records show.

Palmer police tried to stop Adams, 46, on suspicion of drunk driving after receiving a report when he was leaving the Glacier View Tesoro on July 28, 2007.

According to police, a chase proceeded at reasonable speeds to the Glenn Highway and toward Anchorage. At the Birchwood Exit, Anchorage police and troopers deflated Adams’ tires with Stop Sticks and Adams drove into the median.

That’s when officers found the body of Stacey Johnston, 42, in the trunk of the red Suzuki hatchback Adams was driving. Trooper reports from the time say Johnston likely died someplace north of Palmer.

According to court records, Adams and Johnston had a history of domestic violence, with Johnston filing for a protective order against Adams in May 2007. Adams broke that protective order about a month before Johnston was discovered dead in the vehicle.

Johnston leveled a similar complaint against another man in December 2007. Records also show numerous domestic violence charges against Johnston relating to relationships with other men.

Adams was eventually charged in Palmer with murder and tampering with physical evidence. If convicted, he faces up to 99 years in prison.

In Anchorage, he faces a separate case dealing with his run from the law. Charges there include drunken driving, failing to stop for police, resisting arrest and reckless driving. Adams has a third open case in Fairbanks, court records show, where he faces a misdemeanor charge of failing to appear in court.

The Anchorage and Fairbanks cases have court dates set for Sept. 3 and Aug. 20 respectively, according to court records.

Contact Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.