State prosecutors charged a Selawik man on Aug. 1 with murder and assault in connection with the death of Nettie Ballot in February. Alaska State Troopers say 37-year-old Adrian Ticket had admitted to beating her the night before at his home and discovered her dead in the morning. The 38-year-old Selawik woman was the mother of his three children.
In a written statement to the court, the investigating trooper said Ticket reported her death and the events leading up to it directly with troopers. He told them that Ballot was alive when he fell asleep.
Ticket was arrested at the time for two outstanding warrants – one for the assault of a former girlfriend, which he later pleaded guilty to, and another for allegedly breaking Ballot's window while drunk.
Troopers searched Ticket’s home and found bruises on Ballot’s face, arms and body. Three days later, the State Medical Examiner determined Ballot died from blunt impacts to head, body and limbs. Over a dozen of Ballot’s ribs were fractured.
Ticket is in custody at Anvil Mountain Correctional Center. He is charged with second degree murder and first and second degree assault. He has not yet entered a plea. A public defender is representing him. His attorney could not be reached for comment.
His next court date is scheduled for August 11 at the Kotzebue Courthouse.
