Van Landschoot thwarts Davis’ return to bench

Wednesday, June 4, 1997 | 10:33 a.m.

Long-time homicide detective Warren Van Landschoot will become the new municipal judge for North Las Vegas, beating back efforts by Gary Davis to regain his former position.

Van Landschoot won Tuesday's election by a margin of 53 to 47 percent and will take office July 1. Davis, ousted from the bench in 1995 for misconduct after 16 years of service, will return to his family's nursery business.

"The people liked what I had to offer," Van Landschoot said at his victory party. "They liked my reputation as a police officer for 29 years, and know that I'd be tough on crime. Davis had a lot to offer but I think people wanted change."

Davis was ousted by the Nevada Judicial Discipline Commission, which accused him of borrowing money from court employees, using them to run personal errands, selling antiques out of the courthouse, and playing offensive music to jail inmates. Davis, whose appeal of that decision remains before the Nevada Supreme Court, charged that many of the allegations were old and petty.

Van Landschoot, 52, considers Davis a friend and vowed not to bring up the ouster during the campaign. Instead, the race was marked more by controversy over campaign signs. One Davis supporter, in fact, must appear in court on charges that he paid teenagers to have some of Van Landschoot's signs removed.

Still, the 48-year-old Davis blamed his defeat on the commission's ruling and on the inability to get his supporters to the polls. Since his ouster, Davis also lost a bid last year to join the Clark County Commission.

"It's like baseball," Davis said. "You can't win every game. It's time for me to be a private citizen. It's time for me to grow some trees. I don't have any plans for politics. I have to get on with my life."

Van Landschoot, who has worked more than 250 homicides for the North Las Vegas Police Department, will replace Judge James Kelly. Kelly, who was appointed to replace Davis, chose not to seek the upcoming four-year term.

"My priorities are to keep the streets safe in North Las Vegas, and to have no fights between the city and the citizens," Van Landschoot said. "We will work as a team."