Hearing set for man who told police he stabbed and killed girlfriend

By Dave Toplikar

Friday, April 15, 2011 | 9:35 a.m.

A man who told police on a 911 call Sunday that he had cut his girlfriend's throat with a knife and killed her will have a preliminary hearing next month in Las Vegas Justice Court.

Joseph Barrera, 27, appeared in court today for his felony arraignment, represented by Deputy Public Defender Edward Kane.

Kane told the judge he would need until the end of May to prepare Barrera's defense of the charge, which is murder with a deadly weapon in the death of Misty Kay Pusieski, 35.

Pusieski died from stab wounds to the neck and upper extremities, the coroner said. Her death was ruled a homicide. Barrera and Pusieski lived together at the apartment, police said.

Justice of the Peace Melissa Saragosa set Barrera's preliminary hearing for 9:30 a.m. May 27 in Las Vegas Justice Court.

Barrera had been scheduled to appear before Judge Deborah Lippis for his felony arraignment. But Deputy District Attorney Brad Turner told Lippis it was a domestic violence case.

So Lippis had Barrera's case reassigned over to Saragosa, who presides over the newly created Domestic Violence Court.

Barrera is being held without bail at the Clark County Detention Center.

According to the arrest report, Barrera called 911 at 6:48 p.m. Sunday and told a dispatcher, “I think she is dead. I think she is gone." The dispatcher asked Barrera what happened and he replied, “I killed her,” adding that he cut her throat with a knife, police said.

Officers arrived at the Harbor Island Apartments, 370 E. Harmon Ave., near Koval Lane and Paradise Road, to find Barrera on the phone with dispatchers. When asked why he called 911, he pointed to Pusieski, who was on the floor in a pool of blood and said, “My girlfriend is dead.”

During an examination, homicide detectives found blood on the bottom of Barrera’s bare feet, noting it appeared he had recently taken a shower, according to the arrest report.

While in an interview room, the report says, Barrera kicked a hole in the wall and signed several documents using the name “Mark Smith.” During a search of the residence, police found wet towels and a men’s shirt and jeans stained with blood.

Barrera has previous arrests for battery with strangulation and assault with a deadly weapon.