Welton sues ‘Dateline NBC’ over interviews

ANCHORAGE — A Wasilla woman serving prison time for killing her teenage son in a fire has been granted more time pursuing a lawsuit against “Dateline NBC,” requesting copies of interviews conducted for a story about her case.

“NBC Dateline of New York informed me at the time this story was being compiled that I would be able to obtain a copy of all interviews ‘Dateline NBC’ obtained for this story,” Suzette Welton, 44, says in her complaint.

Welton filed the suit on her own in Anchorage March 9, 2007. Since then, court records show she has been trying to serve “Dateline” with copies of her complaint. The suit was almost dismissed when clerks said Welton didn’t have the proper paperwork showing she had tried to serve the complaint. Superior Court Judge William Morse stepped in May 19 of this year, giving Welton until September to show she sent the complaint to the right people.

Welton was convicted in 2002 of murder after prosecutors say she took out life insurance policies on her two sons, Samuel and Jeremiah Welton, then drugged them with sleeping pills, spread gasoline around the upper story of their Mulchatna Drive home and set it afire. Samuel died in the fire. Jeremiah survived.

Welton was sentenced to 99 years in prison. She remains jailed at the Hiland Mountain Correctional Facility. Since her conviction, she has been filing appeals. Most recently, Palmer Superior Court Judge Eric Smith last month denied her request for a new trial.

After her sentencing, Welton was interviewed for the “Dateline” story. Her lawsuit filings include a letter “Dateline” producer Shane Bishop sent to Welton introducing himself.

A number listed as Bishop’s at the bottom of the letter was out of service Monday. Other attempts to contact “Dateline” were not successful.

In the letter, Bishop explains his intent to start a dialogue with Welton, the ultimate goal of which was an on-camera interview in Alaska. He writes that he had been following her case in the newspapers and was struck by statements her sentencing judge made.

“I am only interested in the truth, Ms. Welton,” Bishop writes. “I am interested in any more information you can give me about your case. I’m willing to make calls to check on anything you think is worth pursuing.”

Welton’s complaint asks for videos of her interview and all others recorded for the story. She singles out those of her ex-husband, Dennis Welton, “D.A. Roman” and “Trooper Walner.” The latter two names likely refer to the Palmer district attorney, Roman Kalytiak, and Leonard Wallner, the Alaska State trooper who investigated the fire.

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