Sitka murder defendant pleads not guilty; trial set for January

Defendant Reuben Yerkes sits by public defender Jude Pate in Sitka Superior Court on Monday. Judge David George advised Yerkes he had the right to trial within 120 days, Yerkes waived that right to examine the state’s evidence against him.
(Photo by Robert Woolsey/KCAW)
A Sitka defendant formerly of Juneau pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder. His trial has been scheduled for January of next year.
The Sitka Superior Courtroom was standing room only, packed with friends of 28-year o