Man pleads no contest to Walsh assault

Saturday, Sept. 26, 1998 | 10:03 a.m.

Kurt Allen Lewis, 30, appeared in Tahoe Township Justice Court on Thursday, the day set for his trial, to enter the plea.

Judge Steve McMorris imposed a $505 fine and told Lewis that if he has no more incidents of a similar type in the next 90 days the charge will be withdrawn.

Lewis was originally cited for misdemeanor battery July 1 at Harrah's Lake Tahoe. A Douglas County Sheriff's report said both men appeared to have been drinking.

According to the report, Lewis said he was looking over Walsh's shoulder while he played blackjack, saw Walsh peek at a face-down card and jokingly told him he shouldn't do that.

Lewis said Walsh got irritated, waved a hand at him, brushing his shirt, and said, "Do you know who I am? Get ... away from me." Then Lewis hit him.

Walsh's version was that Lewis crowded him and he was punched when he extended his arm toward Lewis to create some space.

The card dealer said she saw Walsh grab Lewis' shirt and then saw Lewis throw the punch.

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