Closing Arguments Made in Dion Murder Trial

June 14, 2011|By Ashton Goodell | Channel 2 News

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Attorneys presented their closing arguments to the jury Tuesday in the Bonnie Craig cold case. The defendant, Kenneth Dion, is charged with murder in the first degree, murder in the second degree, felony murder, sexual assault in the first degree, and kidnapping.

Prosecutor Paul Miovas told the jury to connect the dots. Bonnie Craig didn't show up to her morning college classes despite having studied for two tests and writing an English paper due that day.

"You don't have to buy what they're selling," Miovas said.

Dion's DNA was linked to the case 12 years after Craig's body was found at McHugh Creek.

Defense Attorney Andrew Lambert says Dion had a consensual affair with Craig, which makes him a cheater but not a murderer.

“The question is not did he kill and sexually assault Bonnie Craig, the question really is, ‘is there reasonable doubt,’” Lambert said.

The prosecution says Craig was in love with her boyfriend and that Craig wouldn't have had time to have a secret tryst.

No witnesses knew of a connection between Dion and Craig. Prosecutors say that's because Dion was a stranger who kidnapped, beat, raped and murdered Craig in September 1994.

“She did not know this man,” Miovas said. “This man was a complete stranger to her when she left for that bus stop on the Wednesday morning.”

During the trial a forensic expert estimated Craig and Dion had sexual contact either hours or up to four days before her death. Lambert says the two had consensual sex days before she died. He says his client was never at the scene, insinuating Craig died in a hiking accident.

Lambert says there's no evidence to suggest a struggle, and that prosecutors are relying heavily on circumstantial evidence.

Prosecutors say it’s hard to ignore the DNA found on Craig’s body and clothing.

One witness came forward saying he saw Craig and Dion at the scene, but both attorneys discredited his testimony.

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