Witness says suspect in murder warned victim’s sister

Saturday, Jan. 17, 1998 | 6:44 a.m.

Rozil Adame, sister of victim Esteban Morales Adame, testified Craig Dean Minard, 46, made the threat during a visit to her home. Minard said her brother owed $2,300, she said.

The testimony came during a preliminary hearing Friday in Sparks Justice Court for two other suspects in the slaying, Gregory James Bennett, 47, and Kevin Joe Picotti, 28.

Minard earlier waived a preliminary hearing and will be arraigned in Washoe District Court.

The body of the 26-year-old Adame was found July 20 in the Truckee River in Sparks.

Security was tight for Friday's hearing, with one officer holding a stun gun. The bailiff escorted an audience member out of the courtroom after he made comments as a witness testified.

archive