Wild horse shooting trial moved to Carson City

Friday, April 21, 2000 | 10:01 a.m.

First District Judge Michael Griffin's decision came two days after he ordered a change of venue in the case. He also considered moving the trial to Reno or Las Vegas.

A trial date for former Marines Darien Brock, 22, and Scott Brendle, 23, and their high school buddy, Anthony Merlino, 21, is expected to be set at a conference Friday.

Griffin ordered the change of venue Tuesday, saying media coverage of the December 1998 slaughter of 33 mustangs stacked tiny Storey County against the three defendants.

He said it should be easier to find impartial jurors in Carson City, 15 miles southwest of Virginia City, the Storey County seat.

The defendants were once accused of shooting at least 28 of the horses with high-powered rifles, but now are only charged in the death of a single mustang.

Griffin last month ruled there was insufficient evidence to support the more than two dozen initial charges. The remaining gross misdemeanor charge carries a penalty of up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine.

The shooting of the 33 horses in the hills east of Reno drew national outrage.

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