A Nome grand jury has handed down a murder indictment for a Barrow man accused of killing one of the North Slope community’s prosecutors.
Ronald James Fischer, 47, was indicted by Nome jurors Thursday, Dec. 18, on one count of first-degree murder, one count of second-degree murder, and one count of assault in the third degree. The charges stem from the Dec. 8 shooting death of Barrow assistant district attorney Brian Sullivan.
According to court documents released shortly after Fischer’s arrest in Barrow, prosecutors say video evidence shows Fischer entering the home of his ex-girlfriend Mabel Kaleak on the night of Dec. 8.
Investigators allege Fischer shot Sullivan twice at close range while he was seated and unarmed in Kaleak’s home. Kaleak told investigators she hid in another room but Fischer found her and threatened her with a gun, the source of the assault charge he now faces. Kaleak was able to make it out of the house and drive to Barrow police headquarters. Fischer was arrested hours later.
Both first and second degree murder carry a maximum sentence of 99 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000. A conviction for assault in the third degree carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of $50,000.
The Department of Law could not be reached for comment Friday as to why Fischer’s grand jury indictment took place in Nome, but he was arraigned on the indictment Monday morning in the Barrow court.
