A jury has been chosen, and the trial has begun in the case of a Metlakatla man accused of killing his aunt last September.
30-year-old William Buxton faces charges of first-degree murder for the death of Leona Meely.
The alleged killing happened early in the morning Sept. 29th at their home in Metlakatla, when an argument between the two allegedly turned violent.
Buxton’s mother, Margie Buxton, who witnessed the fight, allegedly told Alaska State Troopers that Buxton tried to strike Meely with a kitchen chair several times. He also allegedly kicked Meely in the head, and allegedly stabbed her with a knife from the kitchen.
According to court records, Margie Buxton told troopers that she tried to intervene, but her son pushed her aside. She told troopers that she convinced her son to go to the clinic due to injuries to his hand, and contacted local law enforcement.
Metlakatla police arrested William Buxton at the clinic, and then contacted troopers, asking them to take over the case. When troopers questioned Buxton, he allegedly admitted to stabbing his aunt.
The trial, in front of Ketchikan Superior Court Judge Trevor Stephens, started Tuesday with jury selection and is scheduled to last through the middle of next week.
