Judge postpones preliminary hearing for suspects in horse shootings

Monday, May 17, 1999 | 7:31 a.m.

The three suspects had been scheduled to appear at the preliminary hearing Wednesday in Storey County District Court.

The lawyer for one of the suspects, Anthony Merlino, 20, Reno, had a scheduling conflict and already was granted a continuance.

Prosecutors had subpoenaed witnesses and were prepared to move ahead with the other two suspects, Lance Cpl. Darien Brock, 20, and Scott Brendle, 21. But their lawyers persuaded Justice of the Peace Annette Daniels that all three men should appear at the same.

The three men and their lawyers still must appear in court on Wednesday when Daniels will schedule the new hearing.

Daniles said she expects the hearing to last at least three days.

Each of the men are free on $60,000. They all face the same charges - grand theft, grand larceny and killing of another person's animal, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

More than 30 wild horses were shot multiple times with high-powered rifles on Dec. 27 in the canyon just east of Reno.

Brock and Brendle are former Marines who since have been given the equivalent of dishonarble discharges. They are former high school friends of Merlino.