Former officer hopes for new murder trial

Mortensen was sentenced to life in prison for the 1996 drive-by shooting death of Daniel Mendoza, 21.

Another officer at the time, Christopher Brady, drove the truck used in the shooting, but was never charged.

Mortensen contends Brady killed Mendoza.

An attorney for Mortensen argued Friday that grand jury testimony from officer Marc Berry warrants a new trial. Berry testified in July that Brady had talked several times about doing a drive-by shooting.

"That evidence ... is strongly corroborative to the testimony and theory of our defense," attorney Frank Cremen argued during the evidentiary hearing.

Clark County Deputy District Attorney Gary Guymon said that testimony doesn't mean anything.

District Judge Joseph Pavlikowski said he would issue a ruling next week.

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