A Tanana man has been convicted of first degree murder for killing 2 Alaska State Troopers. 22-year-old Nathanial Kangas shot Sergeant Scott Johnson and Trooper Gabe Rich on May 1st 2014 as they tried to arrest his father at the Kangas home in Tanana. Jurors spent less than 6 hours deliberating following a week of testimony, which included eye witness accounts and audio recordings of the killings.
A jury of 5 women and 7 men entered a Fairbanks courtroom packed with the slain Troopers families and friends, including numerous fellow law enforcement officers. Judge Paul Lyle read the juror’s decision:
“We the jury, find the defendant Nathanial L. Kangas guilty of murder in the first degree.”
Kangas appeared subdued and somber as he has throughout the weeklong trial. Aggravating factors were applied to the verdict. District Attorney Greg Olsen says that should increase the sentence Kangas receives.
“Ultimately, the sentence is up to the judge,” Olsen said. “But under the statute, if you commit first-degree murder and the jury makes a special finding like they did against a uniformed or clearly identifiable police officer doing their duty, it’s a mandatory 99-year sentence. No eligibility for parole.”
Kangas was also found guilty of assault for pointing a gun at Tanana’s VPSO, and tampering with evidence for disposing of marijuana in the house after the killings. He was found not guilty of tampering with the officer’s service weapons, a charge his father, Arvin Kangas was earlier convicted of. A sentencing scheduling hearing is set for Friday. Olsen expects the case to be appealed.
Dan Bross is a reporter at KUAC in Fairbanks.
