Key Takeaways:
- The murder of Eunice Whitman in 2015 remains unsolved, with her boyfriend Justine Paul spending seven years in jail on flawed evidence before being released.
- The investigation into Whitman’s murder has been criticized for its handling, with potential suspects not being thoroughly examined and evidence not being properly analyzed.
- The case has been reopened, with the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons unit taking over the investigation.
- The family of Eunice Whitman is still seeking justice and answers, with her sister Heather expressing frustration and sadness over the lack of progress in the case.
- The investigation has highlighted systemic issues within the Alaska justice system, including a lack of experienced prosecutors and inadequate communication with families of victims.
Introduction to the Case
The murder of Eunice Whitman in 2015 is a tragic and disturbing case that has left many unanswered questions. Whitman’s boyfriend, Justine Paul, was arrested and spent seven years in jail on flawed evidence before being released. The investigation into Whitman’s murder has been criticized for its handling, with potential suspects not being thoroughly examined and evidence not being properly analyzed. The case has been reopened, with the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons unit taking over the investigation.
The Investigation and Its Criticisms
The investigation into Whitman’s murder was led by Bethel police sergeant Amy Davis, who has defended her team’s efforts. However, defense attorneys have criticized the investigation, stating that potential suspects were not thoroughly examined and that evidence was not properly analyzed. The case against Paul relied heavily on physical evidence, including blood on his clothes, which was later found to be inconsistent with Whitman’s DNA. The investigation also failed to thoroughly examine other potential suspects, including Kyle Jones, who had a history of violence and had been in the vicinity of the crime scene.
The Role of Marcy McDannel
Marcy McDannel, a former state prosecutor turned defense attorney, played a crucial role in the case. She took over Paul’s defense in 2018 and worked to clear his name. McDannel discovered that the physical evidence used to link Paul to the crime was flawed and that other potential suspects had not been thoroughly examined. She also discovered that Samuel Atchak, a man who had been convicted of a similar murder in a neighboring village, had been in the area around the time of Whitman’s murder. McDannel’s efforts ultimately led to Paul’s release from jail, but she continued to work on the case, seeking to clear his name and find the true perpetrator.
The Case of Samuel Atchak
Samuel Atchak was convicted of the murder of Roxanne Smart in 2014, a crime that bore similarities to Whitman’s murder. Atchak’s DNA was found at the crime scene, and he later confessed to the crime. McDannel discovered that Atchak had been in the area around the time of Whitman’s murder and had a similar modus operandi. She interviewed Atchak in prison, where he provided insight into the crime and speculated about the killer’s motives. However, Atchak denied any involvement in Whitman’s murder, and the state crime lab later ruled him out as a suspect based on travel and medical records.
The Reopening of the Investigation
The investigation into Whitman’s murder has been reopened, with the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons unit taking over the case. The unit’s head, Lawrence Piscoya, stated that detectives would start from the beginning and re-examine all the evidence. The reopening of the investigation has brought new hope to Whitman’s family, who are still seeking justice and answers. However, the case remains a complex and challenging one, with many unanswered questions and uncertainties.
The Family’s Quest for Justice
Whitman’s family is still seeking justice and answers, with her sister Heather expressing frustration and sadness over the lack of progress in the case. The family has been left with many unanswered questions, including why the investigation took so long and why potential suspects were not thoroughly examined. The family’s quest for justice has been marked by sadness and frustration, but they remain hopeful that the reopened investigation will bring them the answers they seek.
Systemic Issues in the Alaska Justice System
The investigation into Whitman’s murder has highlighted systemic issues within the Alaska justice system, including a lack of experienced prosecutors and inadequate communication with families of victims. The state Law Department has acknowledged these issues and is taking steps to address them, including stabilizing staffing and reevaluating cases for proof beyond reasonable doubt. However, the case of Eunice Whitman serves as a reminder of the importance of a thorough and timely investigation, as well as the need for transparency and communication with families of victims.
