Alaska News

Video: Fairbanks Four raise money for Anchorage plane crash widow and family

The men known as the Fairbanks Four — Kevin Pease, Marvin Roberts, George Frese and Eugene Vent (not pictured) — hosted a family fundraiser Monday for the Anchorage attorney whose husband was killed in a fiery plane crash last week in downtown Anchorage. The attorney, Kate Demarest, had represented the men for free during recent court hearings and negotiations that led to the release from prison of three of the four men (one had already served his term). Supporters of the men say they were wrongly convicted for the 1997 murder of John Hartman., in part over racism — all four were Native Americans. But in the formal settlement of the case, the four agreed their convictions were properly obtained, but that new evidence could result in a new trial. The original convictions were set aside.

Watch this video to experience some of the emotions from the fundraiser.

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