West

Alaska man involved in violent killing captured on stolen memory card found guilty of first-degree murder

Published

2 years ago

February 23, 2024

Alaska man involved in violent killing captured on stolen memory card found guilty of first-degree murder

A man who recorded the violent death of an Alaska Native woman on his cellphone was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder on Thursday in her death and that of another Alaska Native woman.

Brian Steven Smith, a 52-year-old from South Africa, showed no reaction in court and stared ahead as the judge read the jury’s verdict. He was arrested after a woman stole his cell phone from his truck and discovered the gruesome footage from 2019. The woman, a sex worker who became a key witness during the trial in Anchorage, then copied the footage to a memory card and ultimately turned it over to police, prosecutors said.

ALASKA AVALANCHE KILLS ONE SKIIER, TWO OTHERS HURT AFTER NEARLY 1,000 FEET FALL

Smith later confessed to killing another Alaska Native woman whose body had been found earlier but had been misidentified.

Smith was found guilty of all 14 charges, including two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Kathleen Henry in 2019 and Veronica Abouchuk, either in 2018 or 2019. If convicted, he would serve a life sentence. Alaska does not have the death penalty.

The violent killing of an Alaska Native woman was caught on camera and key to a murder trial in Anchorage this week. (Fox News)

The three-week trial featured graphic and violent video that was shown only to jurors, but audio played for those in the gallery.

The jury had deliberated for less than two hours.

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San Francisco, CA

Jury deadlocked on 2 counts for Golden Gate Bridge pro-Palestinian protesters

Published

1 hour ago

July 2, 2026

Press Room

Jury deadlocked on 2 counts for Golden Gate Bridge pro-Palestinian protesters

A jury in San Francisco returned to a packed courtroom Thursday morning to tell a judge that it was deadlocked on two counts in the case against seven pro-Palestinian protesters who shut down traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge in 2024 to denounce U.S. aid to Israel in the Israel-Hamas war.

The jury indicated that it could likely reach a decision on one of the deadlocked counts, but the other it could not. San Francisco Superior Court Judge Teresa Caffese asked the jury to resume deliberations on one of the two deadlocked counts.

“Why don’t I send you back, and then we’ll go from there,” Caffese said.

Six of the protesters who chained themselves together on vehicles on the bridge and a protester who was designated to communicate with authorities are each facing eight to nine charges of felony conspiracy and false imprisonment.

The seven defendants sat in the courtroom with anticipation for a verdict, wearing keffiyehs around their necks. Dozens of their supporters packed the courtroom to the brim.

The jury reached unanimous decisions on the rest of the counts. It did not indicate which two counts it was deadlocked on.

Supporters of the seven protesters said that a verdict on the rest of the counts is expected to be read out sometime Thursday.

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Denver, CO

Where to Celebrate the 4th of July in Denver This Weekend – 303 Magazine

Published

2 hours ago

July 2, 2026

Press Room

Where to Celebrate the 4th of July in Denver This Weekend – 303 Magazine

The Fourth of July weekend is one of the biggest celebrations of the summer, and Denver is delivering a packed lineup of events for every kind of adventurer. Whether you’re looking to watch fireworks light up the Colorado sky, catch a live concert at Red Rocks, enjoy rooftop parties, indulge in seasonal food and drinks or explore the city’s thriving arts and culture scene, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate Independence Day.

Here’s your guide to the best music, food, fireworks, nightlife, arts, and cultural events happening across Denver this Fourth of July weekend.

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Read: Best Rooftops to Watch 4th of July Fireworks + Sip Cocktails in Denver

Read: The Ultimate 4th of July Outdoor Colorado Music Guide

FASHION EVENTS

Denver Fashion Week Fall 2026 Model Workshop

When: July 26, 1:00 p.m.
Where: TBA
Cost: $40+
The Lowdown:

Whether you’re stepping onto a runway for the first time or looking to refine your walk before auditions, the workshop offers hands-on training designed to help participants feel confident, polished and prepared.

Denver Fashion Week Fall 2026 Second Model Auditions

When: Aug 9, 11:00 a.m.
Where: TBA
Cost: $10+
The Lowdown:

Following overwhelming demand from aspiring models across Colorado, Denver Fashion Week (DFW) has announced a second round of model auditions for its upcoming Fall/Winter 2026 runway season.

MUSIC EVENTS

Read: The Ultimate 4th of July Outdoor Colorado Music Guide

Gillian Grogan and EMMA ROSE

When: July 2, 8:00 p.m.
Where: Skylark Lounge – 140 S. Broadway
Cost: $18+
The Lowdown:

Zeds Dead with Sippy, Baauer, Holly, HYDRAULIX & LUMBERJVCK

When: July 3, 5:00 p.m.
Where: Red Rocks Amphitheatre – 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison
Cost: $205+
The Lowdown:

Flobots

When: July 4, 7:00 p.m.
Where: Levitt Pavilion Denver – 1380 W Florida Ave
Cost: $0+
The Lowdown:

Don Toliver with SahBabii, SoFaygo, Chase B

When: July5, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ball Arena – 1000 Chopper Cir
Cost: $105+
The Lowdown:

FOOD EVENTS

Read: Best Rooftops to Watch 4th of July Fireworks + Sip Cocktails in Denver

Dumpling Love: Dim Sum Party

When: July 3, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Stir Cooking School Highlands – 3215 Zuni St.
Cost: $120 per person
The Lowdown:

Join the dumpling party and learn how to make pork bao buns, shrimp shumai, pan-fried gyoza, and crab cheese rangoons. All classes include a full bar with beer, wine, and house-curated cocktails for purchase.

Stars, Stripes, and Deck Nights

When: July 3, 5:00 p.m.
Where: Woodie Fisher Kitchen & Bar – 1999 Chestnut Pl.
Cost: Free
The Lowdown:

Celebrate America’s 250th with our festive Bomb Pop Drinks, featuring real Bomb Pops and High Noon buckets!

4th of July Rooftop Fiesta at Cimera

When: July 4, 5:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Where: The Source Hotel – 3330 Brighton Blvd.
Cost: $60+
The Lowdown:

The experience is an open rooftop gathering featuring live-fire cooking, craft cocktails, and skyline views throughout the evening. Guests will enjoy Peruvian street skewers, duck & chorizo paella, and ceviche prepared live on-site.

Farmers Market Central Park

When: July 5, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Where: Central Park – 29th Ave & Roslyn
Cost: Free
The Lowdown:

Local vendors provide Colorado-grown produce, tasty baked goods, specialty meats, gourmet food items and more!

LIFESTYLE EVENTS

Mystic Magnolias; A Southern Gothic Cabaret

When: July 2, 7:00 p.m.
Where: Colorado Sake Co – 3559 Larimer St
Cost: $25+
The Lowdown:

Saunter yourself out to The Mystic Magnolias, a Burlesque AND Drag Show with chilling charm and dripping in Southern Gothic atmosphere.

America 250 | Colorado 150 Drone Show presented by Visit Denver

When: July 3, 6:30 – 10:00 p.m.
Where: DPAC/Denver Performing Arts Complex – 1400 Curtis St.
Cost: Free
The Lowdown:

Following Sunset Cinema’s showing of National Treasure on July 3rd at Sculpture Park, stay to enjoy the 4th of July Drone Show! This special event will be brought to you by Visit Denver, celebrating American 250 | Colorado 150, including an appearance by Mayor Mike Johnston.

Beat The Bomb Summer Mission: America250 Edition

When: July 4, 2:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Where: Beat The Bomb – 3863 Steele St, Unit 1273
Cost: $39+
The Lowdown:

Beat The Bomb announces the limited-time-only Summer Mission: America250 Edition – celebrating America’s 250th with five new games, a collectible beach towel, and a red, white, and blue Paint Blast!

Independence Day Concert with Denver Municipal Band (Cheesman Park)

When: July 5, 7 :00 – 8:15 p.m.
Where: Cheesman Park – 1900 E. 11th Ave.
Cost: Free
The Lowdown:

Price:Free

Join the Denver Municipal Band’s Concert Band for an Independence Day concert at Cheesman Park Pavilion with special guest Denver District 10 City Councilmember Chris Hinds narrating Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait.

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Whether you’re dancing at a concert, enjoying a garden dinner, cheering on your favorite soccer team or exploring a new exhibition, Denver offers plenty of ways to fill your 4th of July weekend calendar. Gather your friends, support local businesses, and discover something new around the city.