Thursday, Aug. 13, 1998 | 8:32 a.m.
Former Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officer Ron Mortensen is serving a life sentence for the murder. His partner at the time, former Metro officer Christopher Brady, was with Mortensen at the time. Brady tipped police of their involvement and was a key witness against Mortensen. Brady was never charged.
Mortensen has long claimed it was Brady who pulled the trigger. Now, police and prosecutors say they have enough information to take another look at the case.
Meanwhile, a colleague of the two officers says he may have other names of officers who might have heard Brady talk of carrying out drive-by shootings.
Brady admitted to driving the pickup used in the shooting but was never charged.
Las Vegas police officer Marc Barry of the Southeast Area Command told a federal grand jury on July 28 that Brady talked of carrying out drive-bys on at least "half a dozen" occasions prior to Mendoza's death.
"Since there is no statute of limitations on a homicide, the (police) homicide detail will now receive further instructions from our office," Clark County Deputy District Attorney Gary Guymon said. "They will be asked to continue their investigation along the lines of the information received in regards to officer Barry and to see if there are other pieces of information that would potentially be incriminating toward Brady."
Homicide Lt. Wayne Petersen said that process has begun.
"We've been in communication with the district attorney's office," Petersen said. "We are going to be looking at the new information that has come to light."
Petersen declined further comment. Nancy Allf, a Las Vegas attorney representing Brady, said Brady declined comment.
Mendoza was shot to death as he stood outside of his southeast Las Vegas apartment. In the 48 hours after the shooting, Brady came forward and told police Mortensen had shot Mendoza while Brady drove the truck.
Mortensen claimed Brady shot Mendoza and framed him. Mortensen was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison in 1997.
On Tuesday, Mortensen's defense attorney, Frank Cremen, filed in District Court a request for a new trial on behalf of his client. Complete transcripts of Barry's testimony were contained within the appeal.
During the grand jury appearance, Barry said Brady talked to him on at least six different occasions about carrying out a drive-by while a group of off-duty Las Vegas officers partied at a bar.
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