Thursday, Sept. 9, 1999 | 10:39 a.m.
A Las Vegas man has been ordered to stand trial in the stabbings of two men during a confrontation over a laser light that was being pointed around a southwest apartment complex.
One of the victims died in the May 23 incident.
Justice of the Peace Jennifer Togliatti ruled Wednesday that there is sufficient evidence to hold 25-year-old Lorne Richardson for trial on murder and attempted murder charges. Defense attorney Robert Langford argued the stabbings were in self defense.
Jason Grizzle testified that he thought the 2:30 a.m. confrontation was over after Richardson was punched by Grizzle's two friends, Jason Mann and Tony Spaan, and told not to use the laser light.
But he said the defendant wouldn't let the incident rest and pursued them outside the pool area at the Polo Club Apartments, at 4201 S. Decatur Blvd.
Richardson, clad only in his underwear, repeatedly accused the trio of stealing his shorts, the witnesses testified.
Grizzle said that as he was walking away a moment later, he felt what he originally believed was a punch in the back of his neck, but quickly realized that he had been stabbed.
Under questioning by Deputy District Attorney Christopher Lalli, Grizzle said he screamed in pain and panic and pleaded for someone to call 911.
The wound, he said, was over 2 inches deep at one point and 5 inches long and has left him in constant pain and without free movement of his neck. He showed the scar to the judge during the preliminary hearing.
In response to the stabbing, Spaan said he and Mann again punched Richardson and knocked him to the ground beneath some bushes, where Mann fell on top of him to continue the fight.
Spaan wiped tears from his eyes as he recalled how Mann emerged from the altercation with stab wounds to his chest and stomach.
"He could hardly breathe," Grizzle said. "He was just holding his chest ... and gurgling."
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