John Pearl Smith II, a Palmer man, could face life in prison or the death penalty if he’s convicted of numerous crimes, including the murders of Wasilla residents Crystal Denardi and Ben Gross.
The investigation into their deaths began on June 5, 2016. Troopers said around 4 a.m. they received a 911 call about a possible shooting. When investigators arrived at a home on West Cole Road, they found the garage on fire and Denardi and Gross inside. Autopsy results showed Denardi, 30, and Gross, 43, died of gunshot wounds, not in the fire.
On Thursday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced at a press conference that Smith attempted to rob people he believed were moving illegal drugs in September 2015, as well as in May and June of 2016. In all cases, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said he brandished a firearm.
“This investigation is a great example of that partnership, as the Alaska State Troopers, who led the investigation, brought in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration to assist the Alaska Bureau of Investigation and the Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit MatSu Office. The result was that John Pearl Smith II was initially indicted and held on federal charges of being a felon in possession of firearms shortly after the murders, which allowed state and federal authorities to finish the investigation, which uncovered additional robberies,” acting U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder said.
Smith is charged with more than a dozen federal crimes — including interfering with commerce by robbery, attempting to possess controlled substances with the intent to distribute them, use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence resulting in murder, use of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime resulting in murder, and other firearm related offenses. In a release, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said “special findings” make Smith eligible for the death penalty, if he is convicted in federal court, including evidence that the murders were premeditated, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. The state of Alaska doesn’t have the death penalty.
“Pursuant to Department of Justice policy, the Attorney General of the United States will decide whether Smith will face the death penalty if convicted,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
This is a developing story; check back for updates.
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