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Man charged in Alaska cold case enters pleas of not guilty

Steven Downs is charged in the 1993 sexual assault and killing of 20-year-old Sophie Sergie on the Fairbanks campus, where he was then a student.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A Maine man has pleaded not guilty to sexual assault and murder charges in the death of a woman at the University of Alaska Fairbanks 26 years ago.

Steven Downs made his first Alaska court appearance Tuesday. He was arrested in February in Maine but had contested extradition.

RELATED: Man charged in 1993 cold case to be extradited to Alaska

Maine-based defense lawyer James Howaniec appeared telephonically and entered the not guilty pleas on Downs' behalf. Downs, wearing yellow prison garb, appeared in the courtroom for the arraignment.

Judge Andrew Peterson set bail at $1 million. The next hearing will be Aug. 14 in Fairbanks.

RELATED: Auburn man charged in 26-year Alaska cold case

Downs is charged in the 1993 sexual assault and killing of 20-year-old Sophie Sergie on the Fairbanks campus, where he was then a student.

Alaska authorities say DNA linked him to the crime.

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