A former police officer is facing a second jury for the murder of Sonya Ivanoff, a 19-year-old Alaska Native woman.

Matthew Owens went on trial last year for murdering Ivanoff, whose body was found in August 2003 in Nome, Alaska. But a mistrial was declared when the jury couldn't reach a verdict.

Authorities say Owens, a former police officer in Nome, show Ivanoff in the back of the head and dumped her naked body on the side of the road. He then tried to cover up his involvement in the crime while investigating it, authorities say.

The lack of direct evidence linking Owens to the crime has weakened the prosecution's case, according to news reports.

Ivanoff spent most of her life in the Native village of Unalakleet before moving to Nome in 2001.

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Ex-cop faces second jury in Ivanoff killing (The Anchorage Daily News 11/13)
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Relevant Links:
Nome Nugget - http://www.nomenugget.net

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