AK:1 year, 4 Months in Jail, Self Defense Shooting, Charges Dropped

Steve Edward Hannah had all charges dropped against him after spending a year and four months in jail. Hannah had plead not guilty by reason of self defense in the shooting of his neighbor, Mark Edward Brochu. Brochu had gunshot wounds to his back, and was found on Hannah’s property about 30 feet from Hannah’s home.  Hannah had called 911 to report the shooting, and flagged down Alaska state troopers when they arrived. Neighbors said that Brochu had repeatedly been trespassing in the neighborhood. Brochu has a criminal history . Brochu assaulted an officer in 2011. From newsminer.com: 

FAIRBANKS — The case against a 30-year-old Fairbanks man accused of shooting his neighbor in the back last year was dropped this week halfway through jury selection in Fairbanks Superior Court.

Assistant District Attorney David Buettner said he made the decision Tuesday morning after he spoke with his investigator and the victim during a break and concluded the state did not have sufficient evidence to disprove self-defense beyond a reasonable doubt.

If Hannah had come up with bail, he would not have been in jail. Unfortunately, this type of case is not uncommon. You have to wonder just when the prosecutor knew that he had no case. Was this a case of punishment by process?

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