Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Police: Man accused of killing girlfriend told officers, ‘I killed her’

Updated Monday, April 11, 2011 | 7:28 p.m.

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Joseph Barrera

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A man accused of fatally stabbing his girlfriend Sunday evening told 911 dispatchers he killed her with a knife, according to an arrest report released late Monday.

Joseph Barrera, 27, was charged with murder with a deadly weapon and booked into the Clark County Detention Center, where he is being held without bail.

According to the arrest report, Barrera called 911 at 6:48 p.m and told a dispatcher, “I think she is dead. I think she is gone.” The dispatcher asked Barrera what happened and he replied, “I killed her,” adding that he cut her throat with a knife, police said.

Officers arrived at the Harbor Island Apartments, 370 E. Harmon Ave., near Koval Lane and Paradise Road, to find Barrera on the phone with dispatchers. When asked why he called 911, he pointed to a woman on the floor laying in a pool of blood and said, “My girlfriend is dead.”

The Clark County Coroner's Office identified the woman as Las Vegas resident Misty Kay Pusieski, 35. She died from stab wounds to the neck and upper extremities, the coroner said. Her death was ruled a homicide. Barrera and Pusieski lived together at the apartment.

During an examination, homicide detectives found blood on the bottom of Barrera’s bare feet, noting it appeared he had recently taken a shower, according to the arrest report.

While in an interview room, the report says, Barrera kicked a hole in the wall and signed several documents using the name “Mark Smith.” During a search of the residence, police found wet towels and a men’s shirt and jeans stained with blood.

Barrera has previous arrests for battery with strangulation and assault with a deadly weapon. His first court appearance in his girlfriend's death is scheduled for Tuesday, according to jail records.

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