Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Court denies appeal of man in death of wife, daughter

CARSON CITY — The Nevada Supreme Court denied the appeal of death row inmate Larry E. Adams, convicted in 1986 of the killing of his wife and 3-year-old daughter.

But the court ruled Friday that the District Court should conduct a hearing on Adams’ claim that the prosecution withheld evidence at his trial in Las Vegas.

The court rejected his arguments that he should not have been found guilty and received the death penalty because of errors in his trial.

Adams was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of his estranged wife, Pamela, and daughter Laura in their home, according to court records. Three other children were asleep in a bedroom at the time.

A man who testified at a preliminary hearing and connected Adams to the killing could not be located for the trial and, therefore, could not be cross-examined, according to court documents. Adams alleged that the state also withheld information about the witness’ past.

The court, in an opinion written by Chief Justice Ron Parraguirre, said the “evidence overwhelming proves that Adams acted willfully and with premeditation and deliberation when he killed Pam and Laura.”

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