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Man Suspected Of Murder Could Be Released On Bail
An Anchorage man accused of murdering an Anchorage woman over a decade ago could be released on bail.
By Alexis Fernandez
An Anchorage man accused of murdering an Anchorage woman over a decade ago could be released on bail as early as Tuesday morning if a judge reduces his original bail amount.
In February Anchorage Police extradited Derrick Torian, 28, to Alaska from South Dakota after police say they found enough evidence back in 2009 to charge him with the murder of an Anchorage woman found stabbed to death in 2000.
Derrick Torian was charged with first and second-degree murder in the decade old cold case of Genevieve Tetpon, 28, who’s body was found covered in blood on March 22, 2000, a quarter-mile from the Fort Richardson gate.
As of Monday, Torian was being held at the Anchorage Correctional Complex on $750,000 bail, but Tuesday morning he could be free on bail if it is reduced.
"Eleven years has gone by and we kind of buried those feelings for a while and they resurfaced," said Genevieve’s family member, who wished to remain anonymous.
After just two months behind bars, Anchorage Superior Court Judge Gregory Miller is deciding whether or not to reduce Torian's bail to $50,000 along with approval to be released under a third-party custodian. Under the proposed agreement, Torian would live with his father, but be monitored by Alaska Pretrial Services.
It is a possible decision the victim’s family says is not fair.
"All we are looking for is justice you know, if a person is out there that did that, and going to be working in town with people the public, its a scary thought," she said.
If Torian is able to post bail, he will be under 24-hour supervision under Alaska Pretrial Services. Torian would be required to wear an ankle monitor and would not be able to leave his fathers home without permission. He would also only be allowed contact with his family.
"Should Mr. Torian make bail and be released, he’s not just out wondering around. We’ll be dealing with everyone of those family members on a daily basis, making sure that there homes are secure, that he’s not running in to them," Dennis Johnson, Director of Alaska Pretrial Services said.
An idea Genevieve's family members say is unthinkable.
"We lost a family member, we’ll never get her back and if he did it, he shouldn’t be out," she said.
A pretrial hearing is set for April 11th.
