A man charged for his part in the September 2013 beating of 18-year-old James Clinton in an abandoned downtown Anchorage house slated for demolition was sentenced Monday to four years in prison.
Michael Liufau, 23, is the third defendant sentenced in the case. Four men -- Liufau, 20-year-old Iosia Fiso, 21-year-old Trevvor Trobough and 22-year-old Tye Manning -- were arrested in the incident. Trobough was sentenced in October to 18 months in prison. Fiso pleaded guilty to a charge of hindering prosecution on Oct. 3 and received an 18-month sentence. Manning's sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 13.
Liufau pleaded guilty in September to a single assault charge about a year after the incident. Additional charges of assault, coercion and hindering prosecution against Liufau were dismissed.
Liufau was also sentenced Monday to three years in a separate second-degree assault case, and a robbery case was dropped.
When asked if he'd like to offer comment to the court about his cases, Liufau declined.
"I'm good," he said.
Both the state and defense agreed to a mitigator, evidence suggesting his role in the assault was less severe than his co-defendants'.
Assistant District Attorney Gustaf Olson said Liufau assisted law enforcement. Defense attorney Lori Bodwell said her client came forward and led officers to the abandoned home.
"He led them to the … house that was set to be demolished, and it was his assistance that in all likelihood saved the life of the victim," Bodwell said. "Given that (information) and the surrounding circumstances, we believe this is a fair resolution."
The victims in the case did not wish to participate in the hearing, according to court testimony. The prosecutor said the state may order Liufau to pay an undetermined amount of restitution. The state has 90 days to file that request.
Liufau's probation conditions include no contact with Clinton, as well as enrollment in and completion of a 12-week anger management program.