GUILTY AK - Sophie Sergie, 20, UAF student, murdered, Fairbanks, 26 April 1993 *Arrest in 2019*
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https://www.juneauempire.com/news/maine-man-arrested-in-fairbanks-cold-case-contests-extradition/
"Steven Downs, of Auburn, Maine, made his intentions known in the first court appearance since his Friday arrest. A judge ordered him held without bail pending another hearing scheduled for March 18."
"He called the charges “a very old allegation” and said Downs “thinks there must be some kind of mistake.”
Auburn man arrested for decades-old murder in Alaska expected to appear in court
High school pic.
According to a complaint filed with the State of Maine Board of Nursing in 2016, Downs received a warning for "engaging unprofessional conduct" and was ordered to complete a course in professional boundaries.
The complaint also details incidents in February and March of 2016 in which he documented administering medications hours prior to administering the medications. In July, according to documents, Downs responded to the complaint about the medications by acknowledging the error. He said his business practices were affected by how busy and short-staffed the facility was. He was continuing to take courses on medication safety education and provided the board with proof.
"Steven Downs, of Auburn, Maine, made his intentions known in the first court appearance since his Friday arrest. A judge ordered him held without bail pending another hearing scheduled for March 18."
"He called the charges “a very old allegation” and said Downs “thinks there must be some kind of mistake.”
Auburn man arrested for decades-old murder in Alaska expected to appear in court
High school pic.
According to a complaint filed with the State of Maine Board of Nursing in 2016, Downs received a warning for "engaging unprofessional conduct" and was ordered to complete a course in professional boundaries.
The complaint also details incidents in February and March of 2016 in which he documented administering medications hours prior to administering the medications. In July, according to documents, Downs responded to the complaint about the medications by acknowledging the error. He said his business practices were affected by how busy and short-staffed the facility was. He was continuing to take courses on medication safety education and provided the board with proof.
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https://www.juneauempire.com/news/maine-man-arrested-in-fairbanks-cold-case-contests-extradition/
"Steven Downs, of Auburn, Maine, made his intentions known in the first court appearance since his Friday arrest. A judge ordered him held without bail pending another hearing scheduled for March 18."
"He called the charges “a very old allegation” and said Downs “thinks there must be some kind of mistake.”
Auburn man arrested for decades-old murder in Alaska expected to appear in court
High school pic.
According to a complaint filed with the State of Maine Board of Nursing in 2016, Downs received a warning for "engaging unprofessional conduct" and was ordered to complete a course in professional boundaries.
The complaint also details incidents in February and March of 2016 in which he documented administering medications hours prior to administering the medications. In July, according to documents, Downs responded to the complaint about the medications by acknowledging the error. He said his business practices were affected by how busy and short-staffed the facility was. He was continuing to take courses on medication safety education and provided the board with proof.
Awesome. You found a pic.
bakersfield3
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https://www.juneauempire.com/news/maine-man-arrested-in-fairbanks-cold-case-contests-extradition/
"Steven Downs, of Auburn, Maine, made his intentions known in the first court appearance since his Friday arrest. A judge ordered him held without bail pending another hearing scheduled for March 18."
"He called the charges “a very old allegation” and said Downs “thinks there must be some kind of mistake.”
Auburn man arrested for decades-old murder in Alaska expected to appear in court
High school pic.
According to a complaint filed with the State of Maine Board of Nursing in 2016, Downs received a warning for "engaging unprofessional conduct" and was ordered to complete a course in professional boundaries.
The complaint also details incidents in February and March of 2016 in which he documented administering medications hours prior to administering the medications. In July, according to documents, Downs responded to the complaint about the medications by acknowledging the error. He said his business practices were affected by how busy and short-staffed the facility was. He was continuing to take courses on medication safety education and provided the board with proof.
Must be some kind of mistake DNA doesn't lie buddy!
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Former co-workers describe ‘uncomfortable’ behavior of man now charged in 1993 Fairbanks killing
"Multiple women who had worked with the man charged last week in a 25-year-old Fairbanks killing say he made them uncomfortable on the job, causing him to be fired from at least one workplace.
Steven H. Downs, a 44-year-old nurse living in Auburn, Maine, was charged with murder and sexual assault last Friday in the killing of Sophie Sergie, who was stabbed and shot before her body was found in a bathtub at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1993...."
Former co-workers describe ‘uncomfortable’ behavior of man now charged in 1993 Fairbanks killing
"Multiple women who had worked with the man charged last week in a 25-year-old Fairbanks killing say he made them uncomfortable on the job, causing him to be fired from at least one workplace.
Steven H. Downs, a 44-year-old nurse living in Auburn, Maine, was charged with murder and sexual assault last Friday in the killing of Sophie Sergie, who was stabbed and shot before her body was found in a bathtub at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1993...."
Former co-workers describe ‘uncomfortable’ behavior of man now charged in 1993 Fairbanks killing
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Auburn man fights extradition to Alaska in cold-case killing, denies involvement
Steven H. Downs was arrested in Auburn this month in connection with the rape and killing of a 20-year-old student in Fairbanks.
February 27, 2019
"LEWISTON — Steven H. Downs, the 44-year-old Auburn man charged with raping and killing a woman in 1993 in Fairbanks, Alaska, on Tuesday fought his extradition to that state, saying he “categorically denies any involvement.”
Lewiston lawyer James Howaniec filed a petition in Lewiston District Court on Tuesday contesting Downs’ extradition to Alaska....
A judge ordered Downs held without bail pending a March hearing.
The petition filed Tuesday states, “Defendant categorically denies any involvement in the homicide of Sophie Sergie. This was apparently a rage killing, involving allegations of rape, stabbing and a gunshot to the head. Defendant has absolutely no history of violence.”
Downs is “intelligent and well-educated” with several college degrees, the petition says. He should be released from custody, it says. “There are no grounds justifying the continued restraint.”...."
Auburn man fights extradition to Alaska in cold-case killing, denies involvement | The Times Record
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Steven H. Downs was arrested in Auburn this month in connection with the rape and killing of a 20-year-old student in Fairbanks.
February 27, 2019
"LEWISTON — Steven H. Downs, the 44-year-old Auburn man charged with raping and killing a woman in 1993 in Fairbanks, Alaska, on Tuesday fought his extradition to that state, saying he “categorically denies any involvement.”
Lewiston lawyer James Howaniec filed a petition in Lewiston District Court on Tuesday contesting Downs’ extradition to Alaska....
A judge ordered Downs held without bail pending a March hearing.
The petition filed Tuesday states, “Defendant categorically denies any involvement in the homicide of Sophie Sergie. This was apparently a rage killing, involving allegations of rape, stabbing and a gunshot to the head. Defendant has absolutely no history of violence.”
Downs is “intelligent and well-educated” with several college degrees, the petition says. He should be released from custody, it says. “There are no grounds justifying the continued restraint.”...."
Auburn man fights extradition to Alaska in cold-case killing, denies involvement | The Times Record
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Young women murdered decades ago may finally find justice through new controversial DNA tool
Six murder victims, and the genetic genealogy used this year to ID suspects.
Mar 2, 2019
"...In the first two months of 2019, suspects -- some of whom have already died -- were identified in at least six previously unsolved killings of young women and girls across the U.S. through the new, but controversial, technique.
Genetic genealogy takes an unknown killer's DNA from a crime scene and identifies the suspect through his or her family members, who voluntarily submit their DNA to genealogy databases. This allows police to create a much larger family tree than using regular law enforcement databases, in which an exact match to the suspect is needed in most states, according to CeCe Moore, chief genetic genealogist with Parabon NanoLabs, which has worked on the majority of the cases....
Among those solved this year was the murder of 20-year-old Sophie Sergie, whose body was found sexually assaulted, stabbed and shot in a dorm bathroom at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1993....
Steven Downs was tracked down through family members' DNA submissions to a genealogy database. Once it was confirmed his DNA matched the DNA left behind from Sergie's sexual assault, he was taken into custody in February, officials said....
Downs was taken into custody in Maine, where he had been living, and has formally challenged extradition, his attorney James Howaniec told ABC News Friday.
Downs is "stunned" by the allegations and is "absolutely denying the charges," Howaniec said.
"As far as I know he had an alibi for where he was at the time," he added.
Howaniec is skeptical about how DNA was gathered, saying of the genetic genealogy process, "We don't really know whether it meets any sort of protocols."
Downs is scheduled to return to court on March 20...."
Young women murdered decades ago may finally find justice through new controversial DNA tool
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Six murder victims, and the genetic genealogy used this year to ID suspects.
Mar 2, 2019
"...In the first two months of 2019, suspects -- some of whom have already died -- were identified in at least six previously unsolved killings of young women and girls across the U.S. through the new, but controversial, technique.
Genetic genealogy takes an unknown killer's DNA from a crime scene and identifies the suspect through his or her family members, who voluntarily submit their DNA to genealogy databases. This allows police to create a much larger family tree than using regular law enforcement databases, in which an exact match to the suspect is needed in most states, according to CeCe Moore, chief genetic genealogist with Parabon NanoLabs, which has worked on the majority of the cases....
Among those solved this year was the murder of 20-year-old Sophie Sergie, whose body was found sexually assaulted, stabbed and shot in a dorm bathroom at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1993....
Steven Downs was tracked down through family members' DNA submissions to a genealogy database. Once it was confirmed his DNA matched the DNA left behind from Sergie's sexual assault, he was taken into custody in February, officials said....
Downs was taken into custody in Maine, where he had been living, and has formally challenged extradition, his attorney James Howaniec told ABC News Friday.
Downs is "stunned" by the allegations and is "absolutely denying the charges," Howaniec said.
"As far as I know he had an alibi for where he was at the time," he added.
Howaniec is skeptical about how DNA was gathered, saying of the genetic genealogy process, "We don't really know whether it meets any sort of protocols."
Downs is scheduled to return to court on March 20...."
Young women murdered decades ago may finally find justice through new controversial DNA tool
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Suspect in Sophie Sergie slaying fights extradition from Maine
Mar 8, 2019
"FAIRBANKS — The attorney for an Auburn, Maine, man charged in the 1993 sexual assault and death of a young woman at a University of Alaska Fairbanks dormitory said he will continue to fight his client’s extradition to Alaska....
Downs was arrested Feb. 15 near his home. He is being held without bail at the Androscoggin County Jail in Maine. His next extradition hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. March 20."
Suspect in Sophie Sergie slaying fights extradition from Maine
Mar 8, 2019
"FAIRBANKS — The attorney for an Auburn, Maine, man charged in the 1993 sexual assault and death of a young woman at a University of Alaska Fairbanks dormitory said he will continue to fight his client’s extradition to Alaska....
Downs was arrested Feb. 15 near his home. He is being held without bail at the Androscoggin County Jail in Maine. His next extradition hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. March 20."
Suspect in Sophie Sergie slaying fights extradition from Maine
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Wednesday, March 20th:
*Extradition Hearing (@ 8:30am ET) – in ME / AK – Sophie Sergie (20) (April 26, 1993, Fairbanks) - *Steven Harris Downs (44/18 @ time of crime) arrested (in Auburn, Maine) & charged (2/15/19) with 1st degree murder & 1st degree sexual assault. Held without bond.
DNA GEDMatch (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP))
2/19/19 Extradition hearing. Will be fighting extradition to Alaska. 2/28/19: Waived extradition. Next Extradition hearing on 3/20. Downs is also charged with being a fugitive from justice.
3/7/19 Update: Lieutenant Governor Kevin Meyer signed an extradition request to the governor of Maine for Steven Harris Downs on 3/7/19.
*Extradition Hearing (@ 8:30am ET) – in ME / AK – Sophie Sergie (20) (April 26, 1993, Fairbanks) - *Steven Harris Downs (44/18 @ time of crime) arrested (in Auburn, Maine) & charged (2/15/19) with 1st degree murder & 1st degree sexual assault. Held without bond.
DNA GEDMatch (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP))
2/19/19 Extradition hearing. Will be fighting extradition to Alaska. 2/28/19: Waived extradition. Next Extradition hearing on 3/20. Downs is also charged with being a fugitive from justice.
3/7/19 Update: Lieutenant Governor Kevin Meyer signed an extradition request to the governor of Maine for Steven Harris Downs on 3/7/19.
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UPDATE: Bail denied for Mainer who's fighting extradition to Alaska
Mar 20, 2019
"A Maine man who is wanted in Alaska for killing a woman more than two decades ago will continue to be held without bail.
A judge on Wednesday denied bail for Steven Downs, who's fighting extradition. His next hearing will be held later this spring...."
UPDATE: Bail denied for Mainer who's fighting extradition to Alaska
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Maine man accused of killing woman in Alaska in 1993 faces judge (with clip)
March 20th 2019
"AUBURN (WGME) -- ....Downs will be held without bail at the Androscoggin County Jail for the next 60 days while the court waits for paperwork from Alaska."
Maine man accused of killing woman in Alaska in 1993 faces judge
Mar 20, 2019
"A Maine man who is wanted in Alaska for killing a woman more than two decades ago will continue to be held without bail.
A judge on Wednesday denied bail for Steven Downs, who's fighting extradition. His next hearing will be held later this spring...."
UPDATE: Bail denied for Mainer who's fighting extradition to Alaska
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maine man accused of killing woman in Alaska in 1993 faces judge (with clip)
March 20th 2019
"AUBURN (WGME) -- ....Downs will be held without bail at the Androscoggin County Jail for the next 60 days while the court waits for paperwork from Alaska."
Maine man accused of killing woman in Alaska in 1993 faces judge
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I'm "guessing" on the date here! 
Wednesday, April 24th:
*Extradition Deadline Hearing (@ 8:30am ET) – in ME / AK – Sophie Sergie (20) (April 26, 1993, Fairbanks) - *Steven Harris Downs (44/18 @ time of crime) arrested (in Auburn, Maine) & charged (2/15/19) with 1st degree murder & 1st degree sexual assault. Held without bond.
DNA GEDMatch (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP))
2/19/19 Extradition hearing. Will be fighting extradition to Alaska. 2/28/19: Waived extradition. Next Extradition hearing on 3/20. Downs is also charged with being a fugitive from justice.
3/7/19 Update: Lieutenant Governor Kevin Meyer signed an extradition request to the governor of Maine for Steven Harris Downs on 3/7/19.
3/20/19 Update: Bail denied. Downs will be held without bail at the Androscoggin County Jail for the next 60 days while the court waits for paperwork from Alaska.
4/17/19: Maine Gov. Janet Mills has signed a warrant allowing a man wanted in Alaska to face charges there that he sexually assaulted & killed a woman more than two decades ago. A judge Wednesday gave Downs a week to decide whether to challenge the warrant. Defense attorney says he probably will not fight extradition. Approximately on 4/24/19.
Wednesday, April 24th:
*Extradition Deadline Hearing (@ 8:30am ET) – in ME / AK – Sophie Sergie (20) (April 26, 1993, Fairbanks) - *Steven Harris Downs (44/18 @ time of crime) arrested (in Auburn, Maine) & charged (2/15/19) with 1st degree murder & 1st degree sexual assault. Held without bond.
DNA GEDMatch (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP))
2/19/19 Extradition hearing. Will be fighting extradition to Alaska. 2/28/19: Waived extradition. Next Extradition hearing on 3/20. Downs is also charged with being a fugitive from justice.
3/7/19 Update: Lieutenant Governor Kevin Meyer signed an extradition request to the governor of Maine for Steven Harris Downs on 3/7/19.
3/20/19 Update: Bail denied. Downs will be held without bail at the Androscoggin County Jail for the next 60 days while the court waits for paperwork from Alaska.
4/17/19: Maine Gov. Janet Mills has signed a warrant allowing a man wanted in Alaska to face charges there that he sexually assaulted & killed a woman more than two decades ago. A judge Wednesday gave Downs a week to decide whether to challenge the warrant. Defense attorney says he probably will not fight extradition. Approximately on 4/24/19.
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Maine Governor Signs Warrant for Steven Downs’ Extradition to Alaska
Apr 19, 2019
"...The next court date is set for May 20th."
Maine Governor Signs Warrant for Steven Downs’ Extradition to Alaska
Apr 19, 2019
"...The next court date is set for May 20th."
Maine Governor Signs Warrant for Steven Downs’ Extradition to Alaska
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Man charged in Alaska cold case drops extradition fight
AUBURN, Maine (AP) - A Maine man is no longer fighting extradition to Alaska to face charges that he raped and killed a woman there more than 25 years ago.
Steven Downs of Auburn is charged with assault and murder in the brutal killing of 20-year-old Sophie Sergie at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1993. The Sun Journal reports Downs has withdrawn a petition contesting extradition.
[.....]
The 44-year-old Downs was due in court on Thursday. Then Alaska authorities will have 30 days to retrieve him.
This article is dated May 16th, updated as of May 17.
So that "Thursday" in the article must mean May 16? I have him for a court hearing on 5/20....
AUBURN, Maine (AP) - A Maine man is no longer fighting extradition to Alaska to face charges that he raped and killed a woman there more than 25 years ago.
Steven Downs of Auburn is charged with assault and murder in the brutal killing of 20-year-old Sophie Sergie at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1993. The Sun Journal reports Downs has withdrawn a petition contesting extradition.
[.....]
The 44-year-old Downs was due in court on Thursday. Then Alaska authorities will have 30 days to retrieve him.
This article is dated May 16th, updated as of May 17.
So that "Thursday" in the article must mean May 16? I have him for a court hearing on 5/20....
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Ah - found the May 16th court date!
From the Alaska court site:
05/02/2019 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on Behalf of Defendant
Attorney: Spaulding, Frank Eleazar (0006034)
Jesse James Ian Archer
Filing Party: Downs, Steven Harris
Case Motion #1
05/02/2019 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on Behalf of Defendant
Attorney: Spaulding, Frank Eleazar (0006034)
James P. Howaniec
Filing Party: Downs, Steven Harris
Case Motion #2
05/02/2019 Attorney Information
Attorney Spaulding, Frank Eleazar representing Defendant Downs, Steven Harris as of 05/02/2019
05/13/2019 Order Granting Motion
Case Motion #2
Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on Behalf of Defendant
05/13/2019 Order Granting Motion
Case Motion #1
Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on Behalf of Defendant
05/16/2019 Non-Opposition to Motions to Appear Pro Hac Vice
Attorney: Office of Special Prosecutions (OSP)
Case Motion #1: Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on Behalf of Defendant, Case Motion #2: Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on Behalf of Defendant
05/16/2019 Entry of Appearance
Attorney: Office of Special Prosecutions (OSP)
State of Alaska (Prosecution);
link: https://records.courts.alaska.gov/e...F4CWLatKRak2XKiH9Yoy7UnA1vsakNxzJKTwLuvow3gYw
From the Alaska court site:
05/02/2019 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on Behalf of Defendant
Attorney: Spaulding, Frank Eleazar (0006034)
Jesse James Ian Archer
Filing Party: Downs, Steven Harris
Case Motion #1
05/02/2019 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on Behalf of Defendant
Attorney: Spaulding, Frank Eleazar (0006034)
James P. Howaniec
Filing Party: Downs, Steven Harris
Case Motion #2
05/02/2019 Attorney Information
Attorney Spaulding, Frank Eleazar representing Defendant Downs, Steven Harris as of 05/02/2019
05/13/2019 Order Granting Motion
Case Motion #2
Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on Behalf of Defendant
05/13/2019 Order Granting Motion
Case Motion #1
Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on Behalf of Defendant
05/16/2019 Non-Opposition to Motions to Appear Pro Hac Vice
Attorney: Office of Special Prosecutions (OSP)
Case Motion #1: Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on Behalf of Defendant, Case Motion #2: Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice on Behalf of Defendant
05/16/2019 Entry of Appearance
Attorney: Office of Special Prosecutions (OSP)
State of Alaska (Prosecution);
link: https://records.courts.alaska.gov/e...F4CWLatKRak2XKiH9Yoy7UnA1vsakNxzJKTwLuvow3gYw