Coast Guard Investigator Testifies in CommSta Murder Trial

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A Coast Guard investigator says murder suspect James Wells had time to leave the Kodiak communications station, switch cars and drive home after shooting two co-workers.
Special Agent Aaron Woods testified Thursday that he recreated the scenario himself by driving from the communications station to Wells’ home within the time allotted. The case is being tried in Anchorage Federal Court.
Wells, a civilian employee of the Coast Guard, is charged with murder in the deaths of retired Chief Petty Officer Richard Belisle and Petty Officer First Class James Hopkins.
Wells claims he was late to work on April 12, 2012, because he had to change a soft tire. Security video recorded him passing the main Coast Guard base and returning 34 minutes later.
Woods says a one-way trip from the CommSta to Wells’ home can be made in about 13 minutes, which would have been enough time for Wells to commit the crime.