Supreme Court rejects appeal from Vegas man who killed mother

Brendan Riley

Wednesday, Oct. 13, 1999 | 9:38 a.m.

CARSON CITY - A Las Vegas man convicted of killing his mother has lost a Nevada Supreme Court appeal aimed at erasing his sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The ruling against Tyrone Howard was one of several appeals from Las Vegas murder convictions rejected Tuesday by the high court.

Howard was convicted of first-degree murder in the slaying of Catherlena Howard, 70, outside her home in March 1996. She was shot twice in the back.

Howard's trial lawyers said he never meant to kill and was driven to the crime after his mother tried to take control of a $700,000 inheritance and threw him out of the house.

On appeal, Howard raised various issues, including improper use of statements he made during questioning by police. But the high court said any errors were "harmless in light of the overwhelming evidence of guilt presented at trial."

Also rejected were appeals from:

-Joseph Martinez, who pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the stabbing death of Kathleen Flynn, 60. The victim was stabbed more than 30 times as her 10-year-old grandson watched. The boy also was stabbed, but was able to call 911. He eventually recovered from his injuries.

On appeal, Martinez, serving a life term with possible parole, contended a lower court judge erred by denying his motion for another lawyer. The Supreme Court said the claim was without merit.

-Lazaro Hernandez, who got double life terms without possible parole for the May 1996 gunshot slaying of a man who used himself as a shield to stop Hernandez from killing his estranged wife in a casino parking lot.

Cerbando Rameriz was shot several times after he threw Anna Hernandez to the floor of his car and lay on top of her. He had given her a ride to her job as a casino maid.

Rameriz claimed prosecutorial misconduct during closing arguments, but the Supreme Court said the remarks were proper.

-Uricos Campbell, convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to at least 20 years in prison in the 1996 shooting death of his sister-in-law, Deborah Faye Campbell. The victim's husband, Darion Campbell, got a minimum of five years for involuntary manslaughter.

Authorities said the shooting occurred after Darion discovered his wife with another man. Uricos said he pulled a gun, and the victim was shot accidentally when she grabbed his arm.

On appeal, Campbell said the trial court erred in releasing a juror who wanted to go to a wedding. Justices said that's not a valid reason to excuse a juror, but the error was harmless because "the evidence in this case is so overwhelming."