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Judge approve taxpayer money for Strohmeyer defense

Tuesday, June 16, 1998 | 6:48 a.m.

Strohmeyer, 19, of Long Beach, Calif., is charged with sexual assault and murder in the May 25, 1997, slaying of Sherrice Iverson. The 7-year-old's body was found in a restroom stall in the Primm Valley hotel in Primm, south of Las Vegas.

Strohmeyer, who has pleaded innocent, told police officers he killed the girl "to experience death."

Defense attorney Richard Wright argued Tuesday that Strohmeyer's parents have spent all the money they had on their son's defense.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Peggy Leen argued that Strohmeyer can't all of a sudden be declared indigent.

Leavitt approved $20,000 of taxpayer money for mental health experts, $7,500 for other experts and $3,500 for investigators. Another $1,000 was approved for evidence preparation.

Strohmeyer's trial is scheduled to begin in August, though defense attorneys are pushing for a later date.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

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