Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Prosecutors to seek death penalty in woman’s strangling death

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Derrick Valentine

A California man accused of sexually assaulting and murdering a Las Vegas woman in her home in January could face the death penalty if convicted.

The Clark County District Attorney’s office said today prosecutors will seek the death penalty against Derrick Valentine, 37, who is facing one count of murder and two counts of sexual assault in connection with the Jan. 22 strangling death of 35-year-old Melodie Walker.

Valentine has pleaded not guilty to the charges. A status check on setting the trial is scheduled for April 7 in front of District Court Judge Jennifer P. Togliatti.

Valentine was arrested after a security guard responded to a burglar alarm at Walker’s house in the 9100 block of Pearl Cotton Avenue. Police said they determined Walker tripped the alarm intentionally as she tried to escape her attacker.

The alarm company was unable to contact anyone at the home by phone, so a company representative was sent to investigate, a police report indicated.

Shortly after the alarm went off, police received a hang-up phone call from the residence. When dispatchers called back, a man who identified himself as “Derrick” said everything was fine and police weren’t needed, the arrest report said.

When the security officer arrived, she saw the Walker lying on the floor, not moving, the report said. The security officer called police.

After being interviewed by police, Valentine said he had touched Walker, a friend from high school, sexually without her consent, the report stated. He then choked her because he knew she would contact police, he reportedly told detectives.

Separately, the district attorney’s office said it will seek the death penalty against Wilbert Bryant, 47, who is facing charges of first-degree kidnapping, sexual assault and murder in connection with crimes committed in 1995 against Cora Collar.

Collar, 54, was found raped and strangled. Bryant, who was serving a prison sentence in another state on an unrelated crime, was eventually linked to her death. He was indicted by a grand jury March 5. Jail records indicate he was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on Feb. 23.

Both men are being held without bail.

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