Crime & Courts

Judge declares mistrial in Anchorage gold shop triple-murder case

Anthony Pisano listens to his attorney Kevin Fitzgerald cross-examine Michael Dupree during Pisano's murder trial on Feb. 13 at the Nesbett Courthouse in Anchorage. A judge declared a mistrial on Wednesday, April 1, after jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict. (Loren Holmes / ADN archive)

An Anchorage judge has declared a mistrial in the murder case against a man charged in the 2017 shooting deaths of three men at a local coin and precious metals shop.

Prosecutors plan to start over with the case against Anthony Pisano, KTVA-TV reported. His mistrial was declared Wednesday after jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict after multiple days of deliberating.

Pisano’s attorney, Kevin Fitzgerald, told The Associated Press on Thursday that his client remains in custody. Fitzgerald is considering whether to continue his ongoing pursuit to lower his client’s $525,000 bail, he said.

Pisano, 45, faces felony charges including three counts of first-degree murder, in the deaths of Steven Cook, 31, an owner of The Bullion Brothers, and building tenants Kenneth Hartman, 48, and Daniel McCreadie, 31. Pisano regularly spent time at the shop and offered security advice.

Fitzgerald said at trial that police arrested the wrong person in the deaths of the three men. The defense maintains co-owner Michael Dupree killed Cook and framed Pisano. When Hartman and McCreadie responded to the shots, Pisano was forced to shoot them in self-defense, according to the defense.

Prosecutors say only Pisano was responsible for killing the three men on Sept. 12, 2017, and his motive was robbery. They believe he was in debt and hurting for money, killing Cook in a botched robbery attempt. Prosecutors believe Pisano shot the other two men to eliminate witnesses.

[Spenard triple homicide witness says he thought shooting was ‘horrific accident’]

[Family and friends honor men slain in Spenard triple homicide]

People watch a live video feed of the Anthony Pisano murder trial in a basement courtroom on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at the Nesbett Courthouse in Anchorage. The judge in the case, Erin Marston, closed the courtroom to the public citing current health concerns. (Loren Holmes / ADN archive)
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