Panhandler pleads not-guilty in tourist’s death

Friday, April 5, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

A Las Vegas panhandler is fighting a murder charge despite eyewitness testimony that alleges he called himself a killer.

Trent Strader, 40, on Thursday pleaded not guilty to the allegation that he stabbed to death a Scottish tourist on the Strip.

District Judge Gene Porter set a Sept. 23 trial date.

James Smith, a tourist from Ayr, Scotland, 60 miles southwest of Glasgow, died Jan. 3 after he was stabbed in front of the Fashion Show Mall at the corner of Spring Mountain Road and Las Vegas Boulevard South. He died from six wounds caused by a hunting knife.

Metro Police Officer Nancy Howe testified during the preliminary hearing that she heard Strader say, "I guess I'm a killer now," as he stood over the 65-year-old tourist.

The officer also said Strader told her that Smith was "messing with me, so I went crazy. I'm glad he's dead."

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