Las Vegas Sun

May 7, 2024

Judge rejects man’s guilty plea in torture, slaying of girl, 15

Righetti

In this file photo, Javier Righetti makes his initial appearance in district court Thursday, September 8, 2011, on charges of the rape and murder of 15-year-old Alyssa Otremba.

A Nevada judge rejected a Las Vegas man's guilty plea in a capital murder case stemming from the rape, torture, killing and mutilation of a 15-year-old girl on her way home from school.

The Thursday ruling set the more than 4-year-old case in the slaying of Arbor View High School student Alyssa Otremba on an uncertain path.

Javier Righetti's trial in October likely will be delayed pending appeals to the Nevada Supreme Court.

Righetti pleaded guilty Feb. 11 with no promise that he won't be put to death for the September 2011 slaying. He was 19 at the time.

His fate was to be decided by a Clark County District Court jury.

Prosecutors asked to undo the plea because Righetti didn't specifically admit the slaying was willful, premeditated and deliberate.

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