Opinion ID: 2645949
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Korkow’s Sentence

Text: At Korkow’s sentencing hearing following his first-degree murder conviction, the superior court made a worst offender finding. The court also found four aggravating factors: (1) a history of prior assaultive conduct;18 (2) conduct among the most serious included in the first-degree murder definition;19 (3) an offense committed 16 See AS 12.55.115; see also State v. Malloy, 46 P.3d 949, 954 (Alaska 2002) (noting that sentencing courts have authority to restrict a defendant’s eligibility for parole when imposing a 99-year term of imprisonment). 17 AS 33.16.100(a) provides: The board may authorize the release of a prisoner on discretionary parole if it determines a reasonable probability exists that (1) the prisoner will live and remain at liberty without violating any laws or conditions imposed by the board; (2) the prisoner’s rehabilitation and reintegration into society will be furthered by release on parole; (3) the prisoner will not pose a threat of harm to the public if released on parole; and (4) release of the prisoner on parole would not diminish the seriousness of the crime. 18 See AS 12.55.155(c)(8). 19 See AS 12.55.155(c)(10). -6- 6856 against a spouse;20 and (4) an offense committed in the physical presence of a child under 16 years of age living with both the perpetrator and victim.21 The court relied primarily on the last two aggravating factors in fashioning its sentence. Considering relevant Chaney factors — including protection of Korkow’s children, reinforcement of societal norms, community condemnation, and isolation of the criminal — the court imposed the maximum sentence of 99 years with no suspended time, and restricted Korkow’s eligibility for discretionary parole until he served at least 50 years of his sentence. The court explained that based on the severity of the case and Korkow’s lack of remorse and concern for others, the restriction was necessary to protect the public, Korkow’s children, and their future children. Absent that restriction, Korkow would be eligible for discretionary parole after 33 years.22