James Howaniec

The man convicted of a cold-case murder and rape from 1993 was sentenced in Fairbanks Superior Court yesterday. Steven Harris Downs was sentenced to 75 years in jail for the rape and murder of Sophie Sergie in a college dorm bathroom.

Steven Downs was convicted on circumstantial evidence, say his lawyers, who are asking for acquittal or a new trial. They filed a motion in Fairbanks Superior Court last week. It is attached here.

A Fairbanks jury convicted Steven H. Downs, 47 guilty of raping and killing Sophie Sergie in a dormitory bathroom in 1993.This story will be updated.

Lawyers in the Sophie Sergie murder trial stepped the jury through evidence and testimony in four hours of closing remarks on Monday. 47-year old Steven Downs is charged with 1st degree murder and 1st degree sexual assault. Judge Thomas Temple turned the case over to the jury, who started their deliberations Monday afternoon.This next story refers to violent acts and may be disturbing for some listeners.

Another DNA expert examines a 2012 report and says it allows for the possibility of another man at crime. This story refers to violent acts and may be disturbing for some listeners.

Defense attorneys for defendant Steven Downs raised many theories about alternative suspects who may have killed Sophie Sergie in a college dormitory bathroom in 1993.

Some of the stories from the Sophie Sergie murder trial are potentially traumatizing to listeners. Testimony about the bullet taken from the victim, fingerprints found on the scene, and DNA from the victim's chest. Expert witnesses noted tests were inconclusive to link to the defendant.

Some of the stories from the Sophie Sergie murder trial are potentially traumatizing to listeners. Former state medical examiner notes details in 1993 report

Nicholas Dazer shared a dormitory room with Steven Downs, who is accused of killing Sophie Sergie in 1993

Former Alaska Crime Lab forensic scientist recalls evidence collection