Las Vegas Sun

November 10, 2009

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Mortensen conviction: Life without parole

Thursday, May 15, 1997 | 6:36 a.m.

The same jury that convicted Mortensen a day earlier of first-degree murder returned the stiffest penalty for the Dec. 28 killing of Daniel Mendoza.

Mortensen, who showed no emotion when convicted, cried at times Thursday as witnesses took the stand during his penalty hearing.

Jurors had the option of sentencing Mortensen to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 40 years or life without the possibility of parole.

Mortensen, 31, was charged with shooting the 21-year-old Mendoza when he and fellow officer Christopher Brady went to harass gang members after drinking at several bars to celebrate Mortensen's birthday.

Brady was the key witness during the trial, and defense attorney Frank Cremen claimed in closing arguments that he lied in implicating his fellow officer in the shooting.

Brady, who was not charged, has since resigned from the police force.

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