Press Release

Anchorage man convicted of strangling girlfriend

February 26, 2019

(Anchorage, AK) – On February 26, 2019, an Anchorage jury convicted 22 year-old Kevin Duran of one count of Assault in the Third Degree and one count of Assault in the Fourth Degree.

Duran’s convictions stem from an assault that occurred on May 20, 2018. Duran arrived home after a family gathering, and the victim, who was his girlfriend, confronted him about his possible involvement with other women. Duran ignored her and decided to go play his Xbox. In turn, the victim took his Xbox controller and threw it against a wall. The controller broke.

Duran became increasingly angry after the victim broke his controller. Evidence was presented that he chased the victim around the house while he screamed at her to “get out.”  At some point, Duran grabbed the victim by her hair and dragged her around the apartment. He threatened to have his sister come over and assault the victim. The assault culminated when Duran grabbed the victim by her throat and strangled her. At trial, Duran suggested that he was justified because he was acting in self-defense.

Sentencing is scheduled to occur May 21, 2019. Duran faces a sentence of zero to two years as a first time felony offender.

CONTACT: Assistant District Attorney J. Christopher Darnall at (907) 269-6300 or at Chris.Darnall@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.