Saturday, Sept. 13, 1997 | noon
Amy DeChant, 49, and Robert Wayne Jones, 58, are charged with murder with use of a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery and/or murder, robbery with use of a deadly weapon and accessory to murder.
From the time Bruce Weinstein, 46, disappeared in July 1996, Las Vegas homicide detectives have said they suspected foul play.
In August 1996, the illegal bookmaker and professional gambler's body was discovered in a shallow grave near U.S. Highway 93 and state Route 168, in northern Clark County near the Lincoln County line.
Despite his arguably dangerous profession, police quickly focused their investigation on his personal life.
Early on, homicide Sgt. Ken Hefner said traces of blood and other evidence pointed to the fact that Weinstein was probably killed inside his home.
At first DeChant, who lived with Weinstein, told police she remembered him saying he had to meet someone the day he disappeared. Later she claimed he had been abducted from their home.
Jones was taken into custody June 7 on a material witness warrant.
DeChant was arrested during a narcotics operation in Maryland shortly after the slaying.
Both have since been freed and law enforcement officials do not know exactly where they are, according to chief Deputy District Attorney David Roger.
DeChant asked to be given a few days to surrender herself, Roger said.
The indictment, handed down Friday after four days of grand jury hearings, accused the two of meeting in July 1996 and planning to rob and/or kill Weinstein.
The indictment charges that on July 5 Jones actually committed the murder and robbery by shooting Weinstein, and DeChant either asked him or helped him to do it.
It charges that between July 5 and July 12, DeChant illegally cleaned up the crime scene and destroyed evidence.
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