Facebook Twitter Email
THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2003

A jury in Alaska acquitted Joshua Wade of raping and murdering Della Brown, an Alaska Native woman.

Wade was cleared of eight counts related to Brown's death. He was found guilty of tampering with evidence.

Brown's mother, Daisy Piggott, left the courtroom visibly upset and in tears, The Anchorage Daily News reported. "It's the worst day of my life," she later told the paper.

Brown's body was found in early September 2000. Police were unable to find evidence to link Wade directly to the crime but said he confessed to the murder. Witnesses, whose credibility was questioned by the defense, said he bragged about beating, raping and killing Brown.

Get the Story:
Jury: Wade is not guilty (The Anchorage Daily News 4/17)
Man acquitted in Anchorage murder (AP 4/16)

Related Stories:
Jury begins deliberations in Alaska murder trial (4/10)
Closing arguments delivered in Alaska murder trial (4/9)
Closing arguments in Alaska murder trial (4/8)
Testimony wraps up in Alaska murder trial (4/2)
Alaska rape victim won't be forced to testify (03/19)
Most Alaska rape victims are Native women (3/18)
Defense calls witnesses in Alaska murder trial (3/13)
Defense to present case in Alaska murder trial (3/12)
Prosecution in Alaska murder trial wrapping up (3/11)
DNA evidence presented in Alaska murder trial (3/6)
Witnesses tie Alaska man to murder and rape (3/4)
Father won't have to testify in Alaska murder trial (02/28)
Alaska murder trial focuses on bloody print (2/27)
Murder trial in Alaska loses lead prosecutor (2/25)
Trial: Witness was shown body of murder victim (2/21)
Murder trial in Alaska continues minus a juror (2/19)
Accused killer's trial overshadows crime (2/14)
'Confession' tape played in Alaska murder trial (2/12)
Trial of accused murderer continues in Alaska (2/11)
Accused killer's trial getting 'edgier' every day (2/7)
Drama continues in accused killer's trial (2/6)
Accused killer's trial filled with 'minidramas' (2/4)
Trial of accused killer in Alaska continues (1/29)
Accused murderer indicted in Alaska (10/11)
Hearing held for suspected killer 10/04)
Police investigate suspected killer (10/3)
Suspected killer of Native woman arrested (10/2)
Sexual assault of women targeted (9/25)
Police seek suspected serial killer (9/05)