Suspect arraigned in four slayings

Bill Gang

Thursday, Aug. 20, 1998 | 10:35 a.m.

Bail was set today at more than $1 million for 19-year-old Donte Johnson on charges he is responsible for Friday's quadruple execution-style homicide.

At the arraignment, Justice of the Peace James Bixler set a Sept. 2 preliminary hearing date on the charges that have the potential of resulting in a death sentence if he is convicted.

Johnson is charged with four counts of murder, kidnapping and robbery in Justice Court.

Prosecutors can avoid the public arena of a preliminary hearing by presenting their case directly to a Clark County grand jury. Both processes are designed to determine if there is sufficient evidence to warrant holding Johnson for a trial in District Court.

Johnson was arrested early Tuesday morning at the home of an acquaintance, not far from the house at 4825 Terra Linda Ave. where the bodies of the four bound victims were found Friday. The murder scene is near Tropicana Avenue and Nellis Boulevard.

Metro Police homicide Sgt. Ken Hefner said the four were "bound, gagged and shot helplessly."

The four have been identified as Tracey Albert Gorringe, 21, Jeffrey Charles Biddle, 19, Matthew David Mowen, 19, and Peter Chris Talamantez, 17.

Metro homicide investigators have said that information and items linking Johnson to the murders were found at the home.

Hefner has noted, however, that investigators are pursuing others who may have ties to the crime and that Johnson has not been named by police as the person they believe fired the fatal shots.

Three of the bodies were found in a living room at the front of the house. The fourth was in a room at the rear of the residence. Police said there were no signs of a forced entry.