Judge considers new trial request for Mustang Ranch operatives

Wednesday, Aug. 25, 1999 | 9:48 a.m.

During a closed hearing Tuesday, defense lawyers alleged jurors improperly discussed the 1976 shooting death at the brothel of Argentine boxer Oscar Bonavena.

Colletti's lawyers David Houston and Scott Freeman contend such discussions could have been prejudicial against their client.

U.S. District Judge Howard McKibben questioned each of the 12 jurors. The panel on July 8 convicted Colletti, a former madame at the bordello, and brothel owners A.G.E. Corp. and A.G.E. Enterprises of racketeering and other charges.

A federal indictment charged Colletti and the companies were part of an elaborate scheme to hide the continued ownership of fugitive brothel boss Joe Conforte, believed to be hiding in South America.

"It's the contention of the defense that information regarding the past history of Joe Conforte and activities surrounding the shooting of Oscar Bonavena may have been raised during the deliberation process," Houston told the Reno Gazette-Journal.

"Perhaps the Bonavena shooting was discussed. Shirley Colletti was not even in the area at the time of the Bonavena shooting but because of the potential prejudice a discussion of this could create in the mind of a juror, it would not be allowed into evidence and should not be considered," he said.

Bonavena was killed at the gates of the brothel 11 miles east of downtown Reno. The Argentine boxer was managed by the late Sally Conforte, wife of Joe Conforte.

Willard Ross Brymer faced murder charges in the death. His case ended in a mistrial and he later accepted a plea bargain.

After the hearing, McKibben extended until Oct. 1 the defense deadline for filing a motion for a new trial to give attorneys more time to investigate the juror misconduct allegation.

McKibben also postponed sentencing of Colletti until December. She faces up to 50 months in prison.

Colletti also was ordered to forfeit $200,000 to the federal government. Jurors also determined the companies should forfeit the brothel, other property and $40 million.

The Mustang Ranch itself was padlocked by the federal government on Aug. 9 and remains closed. People or entities with claims of a financial interest in the ranch can file documents with McKibben, who then is to rule on whether their claims are valid. If he rules they are not, title to the property goes to the federal government, which could sell it as a brothel or for other uses.