Press Release

Pair Sentenced for Charges in Connection with 2013 Homicide

November 19, 2015

(ANCHORAGE Alaska) – On November 20, 2015 at 2:30 p.m., 42-year-old Ronald Leavitt and 49-year-old Thomasina Richardson-Henry will be sentenced by Judge Michael Wolverton for charges in connection with the death of Timothy Backus, 53, of Anchorage. Leavitt previously pled guilty to a single count of criminally negligent homicide, and Richardson-Henry pled guilty to one count of assault in the fourth degree and one count of providing false information to a police officer.

On August 17, 2013, Timothy Backus was discovered when officers responding to a 911 call found him bleeding from a head wound outside the apartment he shared with Richardson-Henry.  Backus later died from his injuries.

Ronald Leavitt faces a maximum of three years in prison. Thomasina Richardson-Henry faces a maximum of two years in prison. Judge Wolverton will determine their sentences.

CONTACT: Assistant District Attorney Saritha Anjilvel at (907) 269-6346 or Saritha.anjilvel@alaska.gov.

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Department Media Contacts: Communications Director Patty Sullivan at patty.sullivan@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6368. Information Officer Sam Curtis at sam.curtis@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6269.