Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Opening statements set to start in ‘Thunder’ shooting trial

Joey Kadmiri Arraigned for Thunder Down Under Brawl

L.E. Baskow

Joey Kadmiri, who is accused of trying to steal costumes from Thunder Down Under and then pulling a gun on the male revue’s performers, awaits his arraignment at the Clark County Regional Justice Center on Monday, March 24, 2014.

Updated Monday, July 7, 2014 | 6:25 p.m.

Joey Kadmiri Court Hearing

Joey Kadmiri, who is accused of trying to steal costumes from Thunder Down Under and then pulling a gun on the male revue's performers, shares a fist bump with another detainee after his arraignment at the Clark County Regional Justice Center on Monday, March 24, 2014. Launch slideshow »

Opening statements in the trial of a man accused of sparking a scuffle and firing a gun as he tried to steal costumes and props from members of the "Thunder From Down Under" male revue are expected to begin early Tuesday in Clark County District Court.

Joey Kadmiri, 24, faces charges from a Clark County grand jury that include felony attempted murder and armed robbery stemming from the March 18 melee at Excalibur.

Metro Police said Kadmiri got into a fight with six members of the Thunder cast who caught him rifling through their belongings backstage. He reportedly pulled out a gun and pointed it at a dancer before another person jostled Kadmiri's hand and he shot a wall.

Kadmiri told media in a jailhouse interview after his arrest that he suffered mental-health and drug problems. But two doctors have found him competent to stand trial, and he has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Last week, in a hearing before Clark County District Judge Jerome Tao, prosecutor Kenneth Portz said he was prepared to call 15 to 20 witnesses to testify during the trial. Attorney Joshua Tomshek represents Kadmiri.

Tao and the attorneys spent Monday whittling a jury pool of 60 down to 12 jurors and two alternate jurors.

Court staff said the initial pool for Kadmiri's case was larger than the usual 40 because the incident was heavily publicized and extra efforts were necessary to select impartial jurors.

The trial is expected to last five days, according to court records.

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