Death row appeal dismissed

Tuesday, Dec. 14, 1999 | 11:52 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court Monday dismissed the appeal of Charles McNelton, sentenced to death for the murder of a 16-year-old girl in a territorial dispute over drug sales in Las Vegas.

Although the court found some errors were made at trial, it said there was overwhelming evidence to convict McNelton -- who claimed his trial lawyer was ineffective for failing to object to certain testimony or evidence and failing to present testimony in his favor.

McNelton, according to court records, was involved in a battle over who should sell drugs in the territory near Gerson Park in Las Vegas. Monica Glass, the 16-year-old, sold crack cocaine in that area.

McNelton wanted Glass to stop selling the drugs because it interfered with sales by his cousin Brian Jackson. McNelton had appealed once to the Supreme Court, challenging the evidence against him. The challenge was rejected

In the new petition, McNelton said his attorney failed to ask for a hearing to exclude evidence that he had been arrested for a prior incident of possession of firearms.

The court agreed but said the outcome of the trial would have been the same.

In another ruling the court upheld a $3 million judgment in favor of Deloris Beckwith, who was fired from Dillard's Department Stores in Las Vegas.

Beckwith, who worked for the store for 25 years, was an area sales manager when she was injured. The store asked her to return to work before the doctor released her. When she failed to show up, her job was filled by another person. When able to return to work, the 64-year-old woman was demoted at a loss of 40 percent in pay. She eventually quit.