Las Vegas Sun

March 18, 2024

Teens charged in couple’s slaying appear in court

Attorneys say Timothy Chester and Victor Veliz could be tried together

Chester

Metro Police

Timothy Chester, left, and Victor Antonio Veliz, both 18, were arrested in the deaths of Thomas Chester, 57, and Carla Chester, 51.

Accused Killer Speaks

Victor Antonio Veliz, 18, is accused of killing Carla and Thomas Chester, the couple found slain in their mobile home in eastern Las Vegas on Wednesday. Veliz spoke with Las Vegas Sun reporters Mary Manning and Denise Spidle about why he did it, the guilt, regret and anger he feels, and why he wants the death penalty.

Death investigation

Metro Police investigate the deaths of a man and woman found Wednesday afternoon at the Heritage Mobile Home Park, 1515 S. Mojave Road. Launch slideshow »

Two teenagers accused of murdering a Las Vegas couple last week appeared today in separate Las Vegas Justice Court rooms.

However, Deputy District Attorney Christopher Lalli said it’s possible the two defendants’ cases could be merged and they could be tried together.

Timothy Chester and Victor Veliz, both 18, are charged with murdering Chester’s parents, Thomas and Cara Chester.

Police found Thomas Chester with a gunshot wound to his head and a knife in the neck of Carla Chester. The couple was pronounced dead Sept. 30 in their home at 1515 S. Mojave Road.

Veliz appeared first this morning and Justice of the Peace Eric Goodman continued his arraignment hearing until Oct. 26. The Clark County Public Defenders’ Office is representing him.

Chester appeared before Justice of the Peace Nancy Oesterle. Special Public Defender David Schieck is his attorney.

Lalli and Schieck agreed to wait until after Veliz’s hearing to determine in which court the case would continue. They said they expect to know by Nov. 3 whether the cases will be joined.

Both defendants are being held without bond in the Clark County Detention Center.

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