Local news briefs for April 19, 2000

Wednesday, April 19, 2000 | 10:41 a.m.

Bar robbery foiled by Devitte

Metro Police Officer Dennis Devitte, who has already been awarded the department's Purple Heart and Medal of Valor, was recognized by the city of Las Vegas today for his role in breaking up an armed robbery at a sports bar.

Devitte, 41, was shot numerous times Dec. 5 when he became involved in a gun battle with a robbery suspect at Mr. D's sports bar. Devitte was wounded in the battle and a robbery suspect was killed.

The Las Vegas City Council awarded Devitte the city's medal of honor.

Mack schedules town hall meeting

Las Vegas City Councilman Michael Mack will hold his first online town hall meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Las Vegas computer users who want to participate in the one-hour meeting must sign up by providing an e-mail address and a have Java-compliant browser. Log on to the city's website (www.ci.las-vegas.nv.us) and link to eCLV groups.

Ex-cadet charges discrimination

A former cadet has sued Sheriff Jerry Keller and the Metro Police Department alleging racial discrimination.

Phillip Watford, who is black, filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court Tuesday. The lawsuit seeks back wages and reinstatement of his job.

Watford was hired July 1, 1996, and released on June 10, 1999, after the department found "serious ethical violations" during a background check, according to the lawsuit.

Reese to greet his constituents

Las Vegas City Councilman Gary Reese will host a series of neighborhood meetings in May.

Residents should attend the meeting at the location closest to their home.

The meetings will be held at 6 p.m. on May 6 at John S. Park Elementary School; May 8 at Crestwood Elementary School; May 15 at Halle Hewetson Elementary School; and May 22 at Elbert Edwards Elementary School.

Killers lose bids in Supreme Court

The Nevada Supreme Court Tuesday dismissed the appeal of Anthony T. Chernetsky, convicted of the fatal shooting of a Las Vegas man.

The court said Chernetsky's appeal was filed past the deadline and he failed to demonstrate good cause to excuse his delay.

Joe Sherman, 22, a bartender at the Rio hotel-casino, was shot four times in the head at his apartment on Nov. 12, 1991.

The court also denied the appeal of Michael Gravely, convicted of murder with use of a deadly weapon in Clark County on June 2, 1983. He was also sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The court said Gravely's appeal was also filed past the required deadline and added that Gravely failed to show there would be a "fundamental miscarriage of justice" if the court did not consider the petition.