From left to right, Saul Williams Jr., Quadrae Scott, Prentice Marshall, Michael Ferguson, Emmitt Ferguson and Adrian Pena appear in District Court during an arraignment at the Regional Justice Center on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009. The defendants entered not guilty pleas to charges related to the slaying of Metro Police officer Trevor Nettleton on Nov. 19, 2009.
Monday, Feb. 1, 2010 | 9:58 a.m.
Sun Archives
- Death penalty sought for 2 in Metro officer’s death (1-6-2010)
- Six charged in death of Metro officer plead not guilty (12-23-2009)
- Man accused in Metro officer’s death faces new charge (12-8-09)
- 6 charged in Metro officer’s death appear in NLV court (12-2-2009)
- Metro officer remembered as ‘protector’ of family, community (11-25-2009)
- Funeral procession for slain officer includes Las Vegas Strip (11-24-2009)
- Hundreds mourn slain Metro officer, denounce violence (11-23-2009)
- Report details events leading to officer’s fatal shooting (11-23-2009)
- 3 arrested in shooting of Metro officer appear in court (11-23-2009)
- Police arrest 2 more in fatal shooting of Metro officer (11-22-2009)
- Police: 3 arrested in officer’s death have gang ties (11-20-2009)
- Three arrested in fatal shooting of Metro officer (11-19-2009)
The trial of six alleged gang members accused in the November shooting death of a Metro Police officer has been delayed until next year.
The trial was scheduled to begin in two weeks but is now set to begin Feb. 7, 2011.
The men are facing charges in connection with the slaying of Officer Trevor Nettleton, a 30-year-old former Marine who was shot Nov. 19 in the garage of his North Las Vegas home in an exchange of gunfire during what police say was a botched robbery attempt.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against alleged gunman Prentice Marshall, 18, and accused accomplice Saul Williams Jr., 20, who along with Quadrae Scott and Adrian Pena, both 18, are facing multiple felony charges in connection with Nettleton’s death. Brothers Emmitt Ferguson, 18, and Michael Ferguson, 25, are also charged but are accused of lesser crimes for allegedly being accomplices after the fact.
All six pleaded not guilty to the charges against them at a Dec. 23 hearing.
The men appeared Monday morning for a hearing in front of District Court Judge David Wall. Defense attorneys indicated they planned to file motions for dismissal and their arguments will be heard later this month, which was among the reasons for vacating the Feb. 16 trial date.
It is estimated the trial, when it goes forward, will last two to three weeks, attorneys said.
All six allegedly belong to the Wood gang, a hybrid gang that makes money by committing robberies.
Marshall, Williams, Scott and Pena are charged with murder with a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery, burglary while in possession of a firearm and attempted robbery with a deadly weapon, all with criminal gang enhancements.
Emmitt and Michael Ferguson each face charges of accessory to murder and conspiracy to commit an act for the perversion or corruption of public justice or the due administration of law, also with gang enhancements.
Williams, Scott and Marshall are also facing charges in connection with a separate armed robbery that happened shortly before Nettleton was shot in an area not far from Nettleton’s home.
Nettleton was killed in an exchange of gunfire at his home in the 1100 block of Emerald Stone Avenue, near Lone Mountain Road and Donna Street. A three-year Metro veteran, he wasn't wearing his uniform at the time of the shooting, police said.
Marshall, the alleged gunman, was shot in the testicles during the exchange and was later arrested at University Medical Center.
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