Kodiak, Alaska – James Wells will spend the rest of his life behind bars after the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals slammed the door on his final attempt to overturn his murder convictions. Wells was found guilty of the brutal 2012 killings of James Hopkins, an Electrician’s Mate First Class, and Richard Belisle, a retired Chief Boatswain’s Mate – both U.S. Coast Guard employees at the Kodiak Island base.
The double murder sent shockwaves through the tight-knit Coast Guard community on Kodiak Island. Hopkins and Belisle were executed at the USCG Communication Station (COMMSTA) antenna maintenance facility. Wells, a co-worker, initially denied any involvement, but investigators quickly zeroed in on him. The feds uncovered a web of lies and inconsistencies in his alibi, along with damning physical evidence.
Wells was first convicted in 2014, but the Ninth Circuit overturned that verdict in December 2017, citing errors in the original proceedings. A three-week retrial in October 2019 resulted in another guilty verdict on two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of murder of a federal employee, and two counts of possessing and using a firearm during a violent crime. This time, the appellate court wasn’t buying his arguments.
Wells’ appeal hinged on challenging the evidence presented at trial and questioning the credibility of witnesses. However, the Ninth Circuit found ample evidence supported the jury’s decision, dismissing his claims for a new trial. Court documents reveal investigators found unexplained discrepancies in Wells’ statements, a nail in one of his vehicle’s tires matching evidence at the crime scene, and security footage placing him near the antenna facility around the time of the murders.
While the court upheld the life sentence, they did remand the restitution decision back to the lower court. This means a judge will revisit the amount of financial compensation awarded to the victims’ spouses. But for Hopkins and Belisle’s families, the finality of the appellate ruling provides a measure of closure, though the pain of their loss remains.
“This case was a meticulous, years-long investigation,” stated U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker. “The Ninth Circuit’s decision confirms the strength of the evidence and the dedication of the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS), the FBI Anchorage Field Office, and our federal prosecutors. We are committed to holding accountable those who commit violent acts, especially against those who serve our country.” Special Agent in Charge Paul Shultz of CGIS and Special Agent in Charge Antony Jung of the FBI Anchorage Field Office echoed those sentiments, praising the collaborative effort that brought Wells to justice.
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- Category: Violent Crime
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