James Koenig Arrested

Koenig was arrested on several charges, including DUI

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By KTVA CBS 11 News
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ANCHORAGE - James Koenig, father of murdered barista Samantha's Koenig, was arrested Tuesday morning on several charges, including driving while intoxicated.

Police said they got a call at 2:42 A.M. from a doorman at the Great Alaska Bush Company saying he unsuccessfully tried to stop an intoxicated man from getting into his car.

Koenig was later found at a residence off of Iowa Street, where he refused a breath test and challenged officers to a fight, according to police.

Officials also found a gun in his car.

"We all understand that Mr. Koenig has been through a very, very difficult time in his life - unimaginably difficult time,” said Lieutenant Dave Parker. “However, we cannot give people a pass because they're intoxicated or because they've been having a hard time on criminal behavior. We just can't let that pass."

Koenig has been charged with driving while intoxicated, refusing the test under the implied consent law, third-degree assault and fourth-degree misconduct involving a weapon.

KTVA was not been able to contact Koenig for his side of the events.
 

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Anonymous said on Tuesday, May 15 at 9:01 PM

gee his daughter was murdered and you expect him to be sober? REALLY? God get him a DD already...you folks are something else in Alaska you know that?

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Anonymous said on Tuesday, May 15 at 9:13 PM

hone on the greiveing parent...I see how it is...

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BobD said on Tuesday, May 15 at 9:40 PM

No excuse for his actions Anon. The cops should have taken him up on his challenge.

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AlaskaSuze said on Tuesday, May 15 at 9:58 PM

hey anon.. so we're supposed to get on the streets and be ok with being run down by a drunk driver because they're going through a hard time? Is that how it is? I'd probably be drunk too, but I'd keep it at home or get someone else to haul me around. So us folks in Alaska are something else, are we? Well... you're evidently an idiot.

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Anonymous said on Tuesday, May 15 at 10:01 PM

Is it too much for Channel 11 to respect the privacy of Mr. Koenig? Hasn't this Father and his family been through enough grief?

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Wes Craske said on Tuesday, May 15 at 10:08 PM

It is a sad thing that as a society we have to turn to God or booze to help deal with life, but we do. The lesson in this arrest is that alcohol makes things worse.I'm glad the incident didn't get worse and hope Mr. Koenig's friends will work with him to get through this time so he can get close to being whole again. Best wishes.

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Duwayne LeDoux said on Tuesday, May 15 at 10:24 PM

I cant even try and put myself in his place at all..the hurt and pain hes going thru has got to be unreal..I would think that someone would of been a little softer dealing with him..instead of all this..what a shame...

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Read this said on Tuesday, May 15 at 10:29 PM

What if Mr. Koenig had killed someone with his drunk driving? Once he sobers up he will regret his actions and if he doesn't well that's karma.

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Tim Vogus said on Tuesday, May 15 at 11:02 PM

Hey the man just had his daughtered murdered, give him a break. For the person said what if, fact is it didn't. God bless you Mr Koenig !IF TI WE'RE MY DAUGHTER, THAT SOB WOULD BE FEEDING THE WORMS!

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running bear. said on Tuesday, May 15 at 11:13 PM

with all due respect this Man and what He all been through. So much support came from all over the world practically. with that thought one would think He would be more considerate? God Be with Him, and You know most all girls would not want there Father to be doing this. Pray he settles down from here on.

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I WOULD DO IT TO said on Tuesday, May 15 at 11:15 PM

He's trying to go to jail?? EYE for and EYE so to speak!?

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kk said on Wednesday, May 16 at 12:11 AM

I hope the man that murdered his daughter is in protective custody..

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Really? said on Wednesday, May 16 at 4:48 AM

Is that still illegal?

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gagirlnak said on Wednesday, May 16 at 6:08 AM

Ok but let me get this straight, they found him at a residence and asked him to do a breath test? If he was at a residence he was not drinking and driving unless the cops followed him there. So isn't that illegal or against this guy's rights? I would have refused too if they asked me and I was at a home. What proof did they have except for a bouncer's word?

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Shannon said on Wednesday, May 16 at 6:59 AM

this man is greiving and is trying anyway possible to make it right in his mind and for his daughter. If that means getting himself arrested and there is a sliver of a chance he can get his hands on that man that hurt his baby he will do it. Desperate people do desperate things. Was it wrong OF COURSE but can you really blame the guy? Yes he should be punished he broke the law. The bouncer did his job and the police did their job and if you ask me that grieving father did his job. He got himself to get his hands around the throat of the person who took his baby from him.

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Anonymous said on Wednesday, May 16 at 8:24 AM

I understand that he has been through a lot of GRIEF with the loss of his daughter, but now he has a felony on his record and the threat to use a gun he said he had in the console of his new truck (which the POLICE found)......... ALCOHOL does now make things better only W O R S E...............

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jason said on Wednesday, May 16 at 8:30 AM

going to a strip club and getting drunk while carring a gun in your car is hardly the smart way to deal with a death. Life isn't fair man up and deal with it.

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wow said on Wednesday, May 16 at 8:59 AM

this is quite....creepy. why would you take another grieving family to the bush company for a meeting? what type of outcome was supposed to happen because of the meeting? granted, bc is known for its share of controversies, but none of this makes sense. i am scared to think of what is going to happen next and to whom.

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chris said on Wednesday, May 16 at 9:01 AM

I agree with Alaska Suzie, Anon your an idiot!

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jim said on Wednesday, May 16 at 9:56 AM

Will he get the same deal Eric Burroughs got?

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my say... said on Wednesday, May 16 at 2:01 PM

I think it is disgusting that this guy is driving a $50,000 truck... so much for living paycheck to paycheck.... let alone how much money to strippers and alcohol... Should have donated that money to victims of crime or now MADD... Can i have my 25.00 back???

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just a thought said on Wednesday, May 16 at 2:08 PM

getting a driver for that 50 grand truck would have been cheaper.

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traffic cam said on Wednesday, May 16 at 2:10 PM

traffic surveillance cameras can catch him on tape. they can see if he was driving and how he was doing!

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Anonymous said on Wednesday, May 16 at 2:37 PM

Welcome to Alaska's newest court ordered AA member

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cooljulie said on Wednesday, May 16 at 9:31 PM

Yet another reason I will NEVER donate to people looking for 'money to help'. All the donations did not go to a reward escrow, they went to the dealer for a new truck. Good job 'dad'.

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valley girl said on Friday, May 18 at 10:25 AM

shame shame shame on you all........who are any of you to judge.........same to you reporters what difference does it make what make and year the ford truck was........if it was a 1989 ford truck would you have printed that...you all are sad cases of finger pointing dips.....valley girl

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Valley Girl said on Friday, May 18 at 11:00 AM

Shame Shame Shame on you all who sit so high and mighty....you to Reporters if this was a 1989 p/u would you have printed make what color and make......take a good look around and check your selves...what if it where one of yours.....qqqqqq shame

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Anonymous said on Saturday, May 19 at 7:23 PM

hey AlaskaSuze that is what anon said! get him a driver already. your the idiot. or is it AlaskaSarah?

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