Judge dismisses indictment against Alaska homicide defendant

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) – An Alaska judge has dismissed an indictment against a homicide defendant and ruled statements he made cannot be used in court.
KTVA-TV reported the judge ruled that 22-year-old Austin Barrett’s statements came after he invoked his right to remain silent during an investigation into the death of David Grunwald.
Juries have convicted Erick Almandinger, Dominic Johnson and Bradley Renfro of first-degree murder in the November 2016 killing in Palmer.
Judge Gregory Heath ruled statements Barrett made before his arrest cannot be used as evidence, while also dismissing the indictment because the same interview was used at a grand jury hearing.