Wasilla man accused of murder in his daughter's death set to make bail; family continues to show support

ANCHORAGE — Clayton Allison, the Wasilla man accused of killing his 15-month-old daughter Jocelynn in 2008 is set to be released from custody after a bail hearing the Nesbett Courthouse in Anchorage on Wednesday.

Allison’s devoted group of supports comprised of family and friends, including his wife Christiane Joy Allison and her father Robert Vaughn, were eager to welcome him back home. Christiane is Jocelynn’s mother and remained married to Allison. She firmly believes her husband was wrongly convicted.

“He’s just the nicest guy you’ve ever met and that has done a huge service for him in prison,” Christiane said. “People meet him and they’re like, ‘this guy doesn’t belong here.’”

The group of supporters wore black and green T-shirts that read “Free Clayton Allison” and “Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are. -Benjamin Franklin.”

Aunts, uncles, cousins, and family friends from both sides of the marriage show their support at every proceeding.

“These people were all a part of my daughter’s life,” Christiane said.

Allison will be released on his recognizance, so he will not have to pay for any bail before he’s released to await trial. This came to a great relief to his family who’s been fighting for his freedom for over a decade.

“I will fight for him to my dying breath,” Vaughn said.

Vaughn believes just as strongly as his daughter that Allison is innocent. He said that if he had even an inkling of doubt in his mind, he wouldn’t have been advocating for him all these years. He said that he took to Allison instantly and he’s been his “cheerleader” ever since.

“I just knew he was going to be a part of our family,” Vaughn said.

Allison was found guilty of Jocelynn’s murder in February of 2015 by Palmer Judge Vanessa White. The 36-year-old Wasilla man has been serving a 30-year sentence with a second-degree murder conviction.

The Alaska Court of Appeals reversed Allison’s conviction in July, agreeing the court wrongfully denied evidence that could have proved his innocence. Allison’s retrial was announced in August.

Christiane was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome a hereditary tissue disorder that could have accounted for the severity of her Jocelynn’s injuries. She was diagnosed after the incident. She said that her daughter died without a diagnosis.

Judge White retired this year and Anchorage Judge William Morse presided over the bail hearing Wednesday.

He said all the Palmer judges recused themselves from the case. He said that he isn’t assigned to the case but he will oversee the next court date in September simply to schedule future proceedings in Palmer.

Allison’s next court date is Sept. 13 at 10 a.m. and Morse will connect to the Palmer Courthouse telephonically with Allison present.

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