Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Trial scheduled for woman accused in fatal bar fight

Sarah Chavez Court Appearance

Christopher DeVargas

Sarah Anne Chavez makes her first appearance in court at the Regional Justice Center, Friday, Nov. 15, 2013. Chavez, 22, is facing first degree murder charges for stabbing Misty Madera, 30, during a bar fight at Champagne’s Cafe, 3557 S. Maryland Parkway, on Tuesday Nov. 12.

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.

Chavez is charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of Misty Madera, 30, on Nov. 12 outside Champagnes Cafe, 3557 S. Maryland Parkway, after a fight spilled out of the bar and into a parking lot, according to a Metro Police arrest report.

Witnesses, including a bartender, told police the dispute apparently was triggered when Madera tripped Chavez’s boyfriend in the bar, according to the report.

A series of arguments ensued and escalated into a three-way fight between Chavez, Madera and Madera’s sister, police said.

The fight spilled out a back door and into the parking lot. There, a bar patron separated Chavez and Madera, but Chavez reached around and punched Madera, police said. Witnesses reported hearing Madera yell, “She has a knife,” the police report said.

When Metro officers arrived, Chavez was covered with blood and being detained by a patron, police said. Madera was transported to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, where she later died.

Police discovered a Smith & Wesson folding knife near the scene.

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