Despite several setbacks and delays due to Covid19, the trial in the 1993 rape-murder of Sophie Sergie finally took place in the beginning of this year. I did not post daily updates but here is the verdict and my summary:
Steven Downs faced first degree murder and first degree sexual assault. The jury found him guilty. He faces a maximum prison sentence of 129 years. “No bail is allowed in the case. A sentencing hearing for Downs is set for Sept. 26 and 27, 2022.”
The defense was allowed to present three alternative suspects with direct links to Sophie Sergie’s rape-murder. None of those three men matched the DNA found inside Sophie’s body. So, Nicholas Dazer, Gregory Thornton, and Kenneth Moto were not a match.
From the autopsy alone it could not be determined if Sophie had been sexually assaulted however, “the absence of injury simply means there’s no evidence of injury.” From this you CANNOT assume there is no evidence of sexual assault. From now retired-forensic pathologist Dr. Norman Thompson we learned that sexual assault does not always cause genital injury. But just because it is absent does not mean the person was NOT assaulted.
The toxicology report showed that Sophie Sergie tested negative for alcohol or illegal drugs in her body at the time that she died.
Sophie Sergie had been shot in her lower back of the right side of her skull. The barrel had pressed against her skin. Moreover, the bullet showed damaged that indicated that the bullet was fired while Sophie’s head was pressed against a hard surface such as a tiled floor. The bullet was compressed longitudinally so from base to nose indicating a nose-first impact. She died within minutes.
No evidence of a stun gun was found. DNA found on Sophie’s breast was insufficient for comparison but as it contained the y-chromosome, it is definitely male.
In Alaska, it is not required that first degree murder is premeditated but it must be intentional. The State argued that this murder was intentional, to stop Sophie Sergie from exposing who assaulted her. They based the intention on the execution-style killing by pressing her head on a hard surface and firing the gun.
The defense argued that the motive for this crime remains vague, the chain of evidence was disputed, and that the crime scene had not been as secure as it should have been. And, they said, that aside from DNA, there is nothing else to tie Downs to the crime scene.
Special Prosecutor Jenna Gruenstein simply reminded the jury where the semen was found. “Not in her underwear, not on her tights. Just her vagina” she said. “Because dead women don’t stand up.”
Rest in peace, Sophie Sergie.
UPDATE: “Howaniec said questions about genetic genealogy will likely be raised on appeal. The science is relatively new and Downs is the first man in Alaska to stand trial for a charge that resulted from genetic genealogy. The science is controversial when used by law enforcement because it could infringe on constitutional rights, Howaniec said.”