From Kyle Hopkins in Anchorage --
11:30 A.M. UPDATE:
Police say Vernell Mclemore was carrying a knife when he knocked on his next-door neighbor's door in early February. The 41-year-old robbed the older woman of fewer than $50 and slashed her throat, said a detective who investigated the case.
Mclemore was arrested Thursday at Golden Corral restaurant on an unrelated charge of a violating restraining order, said Det. John Foraker. Police subsequently spoke to him about the killing of 67-year-old Judy Mulder and arrested him at police headquarters for that crime.
The pair lived near one another in a Midtown apartment complex on the 3200 block of Latouche Street, police said.
Mclemore is charged with first- and second-degree murder, robbery and tampering with evidence. He'll make a court appearance today in Anchorage.
Mclemore admitted to drinking and using drugs, possibly cocaine, before the attack, Foraker said.
The detective declined to talk about many details of the case, but said the crime appears linked to Mclemor's substance abuse.
“Addiction is what led to all of this," Foraker said.
Mclemore lived alone but was sometimes joined at the apartment by a girlfriend who filed a restraining order against the man in February, according to the detective and Alaska court records.
Mulder and Mclemore knew each other only casually as neighbors, the detective said.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
ORIGINAL POST:
Anchorage police just sent this announcement of homicide charges filed in the Feb. 6 death of Judy Mulder.
Check back soon for more.
Subject: Man Charged with Homicide
Anchorage Police arrested a man yesterday and charged him with the February murder of 67 year-old Judy Mulder.
The homicide occurred on February 6, 2012, at the victim’s home located at the 3200 block of Latouche. A visiting neighbor found Mulder’s body in the bathroom of her residence. An autopsy revealed she died as a result of a slash wound to her neck.
During the course of the investigation, detectives developed a suspect, Vernell Mclemore, 41, who was a next door neighbor to the victim. Detectives believe Mclemore entered the residence intending to rob Mulder. At some point during the robbery, Mclemore produced a knife and slashed Mulder’s throat, then fled from the residence.
Mclemore was charged yesterday with Murder 1, 2 counts of Murder 2, Robbery 1, and Tampering with Physical Evidence. He was lodged at the Anchorage Jail. Bail will be set at his arraignment which will take place at the Anchorage Jail Court at 2:30 p.m. today.
