Trial set to begin for Arlington man who killed his friend while camping at Baker Lake
Opening arguments began Tuesday afternoon in Whatcom County Superior Court in the trial of Alexander Vanags, who was charged with second-degree murder in 2019. This is his second trial on the charge, with the last one ending in a deadlocked jury in 2022.
Vanags, 35, of Arlington, killed his friend, 28-year-old Mark Stebakov, on April 13, 2019 while the two were camping at Baker Lake and on psychedelic drugs. Defense attorneys James Dixon and Jennifer Cannon-Unione argue that Vanags killed Stebakov in self-defense and is not guilty of homicide.
Vanags’ family was present in the courtroom, while Stebakov’s family, who live out of town, watched the proceedings via Zoom.
Jury selection began Monday after a week-long delay due to Vanags catching the flu. Nearly 70 Whatcom County residents were asked questions ranging from their ability to view graphic images to their thoughts on conscious and unconscious bias. Selected jurors reported having no prior knowledge of the case, and they were not told that the proceedings are a retrial.
In opening statements Tuesday afternoon, Deputy Prosecutor Maggie Peach described to jurors how Vanags killed Stebakov in a “brutal fashion” with a machete. She said Vanags hit Stebakov in the back of the neck with the blade “over and over and over and over and over,” pantomiming with her own hand behind her neck.
She told the jurors that they would be hearing from a variety of expert witnesses, including the first responders, crime scene investigators and medical examiners. Senior Deputy Prosecutor Benjamin Pratt said much of the state’s presentation to the jurors will be similar to the last trial.
Cannon-Unione presented a different picture to the jury. She described two friends who were trying to rekindle their relationship, and how it ended in a “tragic, tragic situation.” Cannon-Unione said that Stebakov had a history of bad trips on LSD, and began acting aggressively toward Vanags the night of his death while high on the drug.
She said Stebakov attacked Vanags at the campsite, punching and kicking him repeatedly. Vanags used the machete against Stebakov to defend himself, she said, and kept hitting Stebakov “until the threat was gone.”
Vanags later called police and cooperated with them, leading to his arrest and official charges. He was released from jail on a reduced $100,000 bail in 2020.
Attorneys said they hope they will be ready for the jury to deliberate the case by April 7.
This story was originally published March 19, 2025 at 10:23 AM.