Bethany Barnes

Story Archive

Lethal drug cocktail blamed in death of former prosecutor: Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014; A lethal but accidental combination of prescription drugs is to blame for the death of a former prosecutor late last year, the Clark County Coroner’s Office has ruled.
DA no longer naming sex-crime victims in court documents: Policy put in place as protection, assistant district attorney says; Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014; Prosecutors also will work to make sure victims’ names are not accidentally released by defense attorneys by asking a judge to file motions that list victims’ names under seal, according to a memo sent last week to the District Attorney’s Office’s criminal division.
Bail remains at $310K for business owner accused of arson in pet shop fire: Protesters keep up pressure for harsh penalties; Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014; A Las Vegas Township judge today refused to budge on bail for the woman accused of nearly killing 27 puppies during what authorities say was an arson fire last month at her pet shop.
Suspect indicted in holdup, beating of man in Circus Circus parking lot: Friday, Feb. 7, 2014; Two people suspected in at least two armed robberies in December, including one in the parking lot of a Strip casino, were indicted today.
Judge sets bail for pet shop owner accused of arson at $310,000: Friday, Feb. 7, 2014; A Las Vegas business owner accused of arranging a fire at her pet shop must post $310,000 bail to go back on house arrest.
Judge may force UMC to hire special master to secure evidence in suit alleging unpaid overtime: Friday, Feb. 7, 2014; University Medical Center, which continues to hemorrhage taxpayer funds, may have to hire a court-appointed lawyer if it cannot turn over evidence in a lawsuit over pay issues that could involve thousands of employees.
Additional charges filed in pet shop fire; warrant issued for alleged co-conspirator: Protesters march outside courthouse, demanding justice for 27 puppies; Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014; The legal net widened today in the case of a suspected arson fire last month at a Las Vegas pet shop, with prosecutors filing charges against an alleged co-conspirator.
Court approves pact designed to improve mental health services for county inmates deemed incompetent: Monday, Feb. 3, 2014; Southern Nevada is on its way to again having a facility for treating incompetent criminal defendants after a federal judge last week approved an agreement settling a lawsuit. The consent decree, approved Wednesday by U.S District Judge Miranda M. Du, outlines a plan with staggered goals to fix delays in providing treatment for criminal defendants who have been deemed incompetent by the court.
D.A. wants court to decide if Clark County judicial candidate is eligible to run for office: Friday, Jan. 31, 2014; The Clark County District Attorney’s Office has asked a judicial candidate to prove he’s qualified to seek election. The order comes after Clark County District Judge Michael Villani filed a challenge alleging his opponent for the Department 17 post, Ross Smillie, didn’t meet legal requirements to run for judge.
Indictments charge duo with multiple felonies in alleged carjacking, subsequent high-speed chase: Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014; Two men were indicted today, accused of carjacking a vehicle last month, leading police on a high-speed chase, ramming the stolen car into a patrol car and shooting at a police officer. Hugo Baldovinos, 21, and Roland Gabaldon, 17, are charged with more than a dozen felonies, many with deadly weapon enhancements, including robbery, assault, attempted murder, discharging a firearm out of a motor vehicle and grand larceny auto.
Suspect shot in December by Metro Police now under indictment: Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014; A man shot last month as Metro Police officers were trying to arrest him is now under indictment.
Judge delays sentencing for Saudi airman convicted in rape of teen: Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014; A Clark County judge today allowed a change in lawyers for the Saudi airman convicted of sexually assaulting a teenager on New Year’s Eve 2012 at a Las Vegas Strip casino.
18 months after attack, family still bears physical, emotional scars: Father of five sentenced for attempted murder of wife, son; Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014; Maria Robles almost bled to death at the hands of her husband on her 31st birthday. She fell on the knife, her husband told the judge. “It’s hard to get stabbed nine times by yourself,” Clark County District Judge Michael Villani said last week when he sentenced Robles’ husband, Mario Alejandro Lopez, to 84 years in prison.
2 arrested after Strip shooting plead not guilty: Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2014; A couple indicted following a Las Vegas Strip shooting that Metro Police said was the result of road rage pleaded not guilty today in Clark County District Court.
Former middle school coach accepts plea deal in lewdness case: Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014; A fired Las Vegas middle school teacher and coach accused of committing lewd acts has reached a plea agreement with Clark County prosecutors.
Grand jury indicts man accused of killing wife with vacuum cleaner: Friday, Jan. 17, 2014; A Clark County grand jury has indicted a man accused of fatally beating his wife with a vacuum cleaner. Anthony Tyron Mayo, 38, was indicted today on felony counts including murder, battery and coercion.
Trial scheduled for woman accused in fatal bar fight: Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014; The woman accused in a fatal stabbing in November outside a Maryland Parkway bar pleaded not guilty today in Clark County District Court. Hearing Master Melisa De La Garza set a Sept. 8 trial date for Sarah Chavez, 22, Las Vegas, who is charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of Misty Madera, 30, outside Champagnes Cafe, 3557 S. Maryland Parkway
Fired Metro cop pleads not guilty to lewdness, indecent exposure: Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014; A former Metro Police officer accused of sexually harassing two women while on the job pleaded not guilty this morning in Clark County District Court.
Hearing set for man accused of killing wife after she asked for divorce: Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014; A man police allege stabbed his wife to death after she asked for a divorce will have his case reviewed by a judge next month to determine if there is enough evidence to send him to trial.
Former CCSD teacher facing kidnapping, porn charges may need to find new attorney: Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014; The District Court arraignment for former kindergarten teacher Melvyn Perry Sprowson Jr., accused of harboring a runaway teen and producing pornography with her, has been continued so his defense team can evaluate if it can continue to represent him.
Woman, man indicted following shooting on Las Vegas Strip: Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014; A woman was indicted today on charges stemming from what police described as a road-rage-fueled shooting on the Las Vegas Strip.
Language barrier delays arraignment for man accused of killing wife: Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014; Arraignment of a man accused of stabbing his wife to death was delayed this morning because of the judge's language-barrier concerns.
Las Vegas attorney charged with theft of more than $1 million from clients: Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014; Suspended Las Vegas attorney Barry Levinson was arraigned today on charges accusing him of stealing more than $1 million from clients.
Defense granted trial delay in case involving fatal stabbing of pregnant woman: Monday, Jan. 13, 2014; Public defenders will get more time to review previously undisclosed evidence that prosecutors contend includes a Las Vegas woman’s confession in a case involving her stabbing her pregnant sister-in-law to death last year, a judge ruled today. The Public Defender’s Office received an audio recording of the alleged confession last week in the case against Elinor Indico, 31.
News of client's confession to stabbing pregnant woman comes as surprise to public defender: Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014; A public defender said he’s puzzled by prosecutors’ revelations that his client, accused of stabbing her pregnant sister-in-law to death in October, gave a previously undisclosed full confession with no specter of self-defense.
Man accused of taking upskirt photos is banned from the Strip: Friday, Jan. 10, 2014; The man accused of taking upskirt photos of women will have to stay off the Strip and out of trouble for one year if he wants the case against him dismissed.
Suspect waives preliminary hearing in woman's stabbing death outside bar: Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014; A 22-year-old woman arrested in the stabbing death of another woman outside a Maryland Parkway bar is headed to trial.
Alleged Texas Mexican Mafia members headed to trial next month on charges they beat a Las Vegas limo driver: Judge tosses gang-related charges and lowers bail; suspects now free; Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014; Two purported members of the Texas Mexican Mafia originally accused of beating a Las Vegas limo driver are free while awaiting trial next month, but they no longer face charges the alleged crimes were gang-related.
Suspect pleads guilty to attacking jailer with baseball bat: Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014; The 25-year-old Las Vegas man accused of walking into the security screening area of the county jail last fall and bashing a corrections officer with a baseball bat pleaded guilty Tuesday to a felony charge of battery with use of a deadly weapon. On Sept. 11, 2013, Michael Law walked into the Clark County Detention Center with a baseball bat and started swinging, injuring the first officer he encountered, Metro Police reported.
Former kindergarten teacher ordered to stand trial on porn, kidnapping charges: Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014; A former kindergarten teacher in the Clark County School District has been ordered to stand trial on charges related to a romantic relationship with a 16-year-old runaway. At the conclusion of a preliminary hearing this morning, Melvyn Perry Sprowson Jr., 45, was bound over for trial in Clark County District Court on charges of first-degree kidnapping and possession of child pornography.
Trial delayed for men suspected of posing as Mormon missionaries and robbing home: Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014; Attorneys for the men accused of posing as Mormon missionaries and committing a strong-armed robbery last summer in Las Vegas will have more time to build their case
Transportation department details road closures for New Year’s Eve: Monday, Dec. 30, 2013; More than 300,000 people are expected to ring in the New Year in Las Vegas. Because many of them will be flocking to the glittery Las Vegas Strip, the Nevada Department of Transportation is restricting vehicle access to Las Vegas Boulevard from Sahara to Tropicana avenues.
Recycling programs helping return Christmas trees to the ground -- as mulch for parks and gardens: Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013; Don’t want to lug the tree to a drop-off site? For $30 1-800-GOT-JUNK will pick up the tree and vacuum up lingering pine needles for $30.
Christmas cheer for children is a day on the job for nonprofit group of emergency workers: Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013; The firefighters pulled up to the house with hopes that this bright, brisk Christmas morning would help ease the memory of the black, smoky night they couldn’t save the mother of 11-year-old Ashley, 10-year-old Lupita and 8-year-old Isaac. Clark County Firefighter Faruk Williams still sees 28-year-old Carmen Soloman’s face from time to time. He recognizes the young mother’s features when he meets her children for the first time on Christmas morning.
Pedestrian dead after being hit by minivan on Christmas Eve: Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013; A pedestrian jaywalking on Maryland Parkway died on Christmas Eve after being hit by a man suspected of driving drunk.
County commission chairman says DA's witness-payment records raise red flags: Monday, Dec. 23, 2013; A witness payment program operated by the Clark County District Attorney’s Office will be the subject of an extensive audit next year after a Las Vegas Sun investigation revealed the program lacked oversight. After reviewing documents obtained by the Sun, Clark County Commission Chairman Steve Sisolak said it was clear the District Attorney’s Office wasn’t keeping proper financial records. Sisolak also doubles as chairman of the commission’s Audit Committee, which is made of three commissioners who review audits conducted by the county.
DA: No charges in beating death at South Point: Thursday, Dec. 19, 2013; An exchange student arrested in the fatal beating of a man Monday at the South Point will not face criminal charges.
Former UNLV basketball player sentenced to community service: Monday, Dec. 16, 2013; A former UNLV basketball player accused of stealing a pair of sneakers and cash from a friend’s apartment was sentenced today to community service on misdemeanor petty larceny and trespassing charges.
Small plane goes down near Fiesta Henderson: Friday, Dec. 13, 2013; A small aircraft went down unexpectedly Friday night in Henderson near Fiesta Casino, according to a spokesman with Clark County Department of Aviation.
Man who says shooting was accident pleads not guilty to murder: Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013; A 22-year-old Army reservist who reportedly told police he thought a gun was unloaded when he shot a woman in the head at his home pleaded not guilty to murder today in Clark County District Court.
Calif. allegations lead to increased bail for teacher accused of kidnapping teen: Monday, Dec. 9, 2013; Bail for the former kindergarten teacher accused of harboring a runaway teen – lowered last week on appeal – was quintupled this morning when the prosecutor told the court about prior accusations from California involving schoolchildren and the defendant.
Man gets prison for leaving crash that killed Metro volunteer: Monday, Dec. 9, 2013; A man who left the scene of an accident that killed a 19-year-old Metro Police volunteer got the maximum prison sentence today of six to 15 years. Clark County District Court Judge Stefany Miley, who struggled to hold back tears while the victim’s family testified, sentenced Jvon Williams, 29, who pleaded guilty in September to leaving the scene of the accident, a felony. Williams apologized to the family in court.
Defense bolsters its case for insanity plea in 2010 ax-slaying of infant: Friday, Dec. 6, 2013; Harold Montague believed he was communicating directly with God when he used a medieval style battle-ax to attack a mother and kill her 4-month-old baby in 2010 on a Las Vegas residential street.
Kindergarten teacher accused of kidnapping gave 16-year-old an STD, prosecutors say: Judge agrees with defendant's appeal, lowers bail to $130,000; Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013; A Las Vegas kindergarten teacher accused of harboring a runaway teen gave girl a sexually transmitted disease, prosecutors allege.
Suspect in Drai's shooting pleads not guilty; D.A.'s office to weigh whether case merits death penalty status: Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013; The man accused in an October shooting at a popular Las Vegas Strip after-hours club that left one man dead and two wounded pleaded not guilty today in Clark County District Court.
September trial set for teen accused of killing mother, brother: Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013; A trial date has been set for Sept. 22, 2014, for the 16-year-old accused of killing his mother and 9-year-old brother.
Despite décor, courtroom hasn't gone to the dogs, judge insists: Monday, Dec. 2, 2013; Those working in the justice system often quip that “Law & Order” doesn’t prepare the general public for what it’s really like in a courtroom. The joke isn’t usually intended to refer to courtroom décor. But go to courtroom A on the 15th floor of the Clark County Regional Justice Center. On the bench is District Judge Kathleen Delaney, clad in a kelly green robe. On giant canvases around the courtroom are oversized photos of basset hounds.
Hearing delayed for man accused of sexually assaulting 13-year-old girl: Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2013; An arraignment for a man accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl outside a school was delayed today after his family ran out of money to pay for his private attorney.
Man charged in carjacking that killed officer will face trial in June: Monday, Nov. 25, 2013; The man charged in the deaths of a California Highway Patrol officer and another man thrown from the back of a pickup truck reported stolen from a Strip hotel pleaded not guilty in Clark County District Court today.
Woman accused of stabbing pregnant sister-in-law pleads not guilty: Monday, Nov. 25, 2013; The woman accused of fatally stabbing her pregnant sister-in-law pleaded not guilty in Clark County District Court today. The case is set to go to trial on Jan 21.