Hearing delayed for 2 accused in death of casino waitress

By Cara McCoy

Published Wednesday, April 14, 2010 | 1:24 p.m.

Updated Friday, April 16, 2010 | 7:30 a.m.

The district court arraignment of two men indicted in the murder of a Hooters casino waitress was postponed until next month to give the district attorney’s death penalty committee an opportunity to review the case.

Gregory Lee Hover, 48, and his alleged accomplice, 18-year-old Richard Freeman, were indicted last week on counts of murder, sexual assault, robbery, kidnapping and burglary, all enhanced with a deadly weapon, as well as arson, burglary and several counts of conspiracy.

Those charges stem from the kidnapping, sexual assault and murder of 21-year-old Prisma Contreras of Las Vegas.

The men are also facing multiple felonies in connection with an attack in the early morning hours of Jan. 25 that left Julio Romero, 64, dead and his wife, Roberta Romero, seriously wounded. A preliminary hearing in that case began March 19 and was continued until later this month.

Prosecutors have said both cases have elements that could lead them to pursue the death penalty against the men.

Decisions about pursuing capital punishment are made by a committee in the district attorney’s office after a preliminary hearing or grand jury indictment.

Hover wasn't present for Wednesday's hearing. Prosecutors said he had been taken to University Medical Center after an incident Saturday at the Clark County Detention Center. A Metro Police spokesman confirmed Thursday that Hover had attempted suicide and as of Thursday afternoon, remained at UMC.

Hover has also been indicted on a count of battery on a prisoner for allegedly using a pair of scissors to slice another inmate at the county jail earlier this month.

District court arraignment and trial setting was rescheduled for May 3 in front of Judge Ken Cory.