Suspects charged in Anchorage woman's murder in 2021

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Two men went on trial Monday for the 2021 murder of an Anchorage woman.

Neville Xavier Herndon, 42, and Claymonte Ramon Otero, 24, have been charged with one count of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder and three counts of third-degree assault for the killing of 28-year-old Alexandra Briseno. The killing occurred in the early morning hours of November 26, 2021, in a Spenard neighborhood.

Herndon, who appeared in court, and Otero, who appeared by telephone, both pleaded not guilty.

A third man – Myron Lamont Clark, 30 – was also charged with the same six counts but did not appear in court on Monday. According to Court recordsOn August 22, an arrest warrant was issued for Clark.

The police did not want to comment publicly on the case, nor on whether Clark's whereabouts are currently unknown, as the investigation is still ongoing.

On November 26, 2021, at approximately 5:10 a.m., police responded to gunshots on Cheechako Street – between West 31st and 32nd Avenues – where officers found a dead woman at the scene, later identified as Briseno.

Anchorage police also reported at the time that a man was found at the scene with non-life-threatening injuries. He was taken to the hospital.

Briseno's mother, Juliet Knecht, said Monday it was a bittersweet feeling to see progress finally being made in the case.

“It's very emotional,” she said. “I'm grateful and relieved that someone is being held accountable, these three individuals. I'm relieved, but it's also really sad and hard … she will be missed very much. There's a big family that loves her very much.”

Otero's court date is set for October 9 and Herndon's for October 15. Otero's case number is 3AN-24-04962CR and Herndon's is 3AN-24-04963.

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