High court upholds murder conviction

Thursday, April 1, 1999 | 11:29 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court Wednesday upheld the first-degree murder conviction of Julius Pollard, who at age 15 fatally shot a North Las Vegas man for no apparent reason.

Pollard received consecutive life terms with the possibility of parole for the killing of James Hay at his home on Dec. 20, 1995.

Pollard, through his lawyers, said he was 15 years old at the time he was taken into custody and officers did not notify his parents immediately.

The court, in its unanimous decision, said juveniles charged with murder are not covered by the law requiring immediate parental notification.

Defense lawyers also said there was insufficient evidence to support a guilty verdict. The court said eyewitnesses, "testified that without any provocation Pollard pulled a gun, waved it about, pointed it at the victim's son (Terrell) and said 'bang,' and then pointed it at the victim (Hay) and shot the victim in the head."

Hay was in a group of young men who came to the house asking to see Hay's daughter, who was not at home.

After the group was told several times the daughter was not at home, Hay started to close the door and was shot.