Court briefs for August 24, 2000

Thursday, Aug. 24, 2000 | 11:45 a.m.

Las Vegas man pleads guilty

A 21-year-old Las Vegas man pleaded guilty to second-degree murder Wednesday shortly after attorneys for both sides made opening arguments in his trial.

Ramses Escobar pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the October death of Brent Logan Reed, 20, and to two counts of battery causing substantial bodily injury in an unrelated case.

Escobar faces 10 to 25 years in prison on the murder charge and seven to 25 years on the battery charges, Deputy Special Public Defender Joe Sciscento said.

Sentencing is set for Oct. 5.

Reed died at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center on Oct. 23 after being shot at a home near Tropicana Avenue and Maryland Parkway.

Reed and Escobar, who had been friends for a long time, got into an argument at a party before the shooting, Chief Deputy District Attorney Ed Kane said. Escobar claims he shot Reed in self-defense

Trial set in deadly accident

A 22-year-old Las Vegas man indicted in connection with an Aug. 1 fatal accident will be going to trial in October.

District Judge Joseph Bonaventure set John Sandoval's trial for Oct. 23 after Sandoval pleaded not guilty Wednesday morning.

Sandoval was indicted by a Clark County grand jury last week on felony charges of leaving the scene, evading police, reckless driving and involuntary manslaughter.

According to police, Sandoval crashed into Mary Leann Thompson near 14th Street and Stewart Avenue after eluding police. Thompson died the next morning. A 13-year-old passenger was uninjured.

Sandoval faces two to 27 years in prison if convicted, Booker said.

15-year-old held on $500,000 bail

A 15-year-old murder suspect is being held on $500,000 bail in connection with a July shooting.

The teen had been held without bail in connection with the death of Justin Harris, 21, since early July.

Harris was found dead after being shot near an apartment complex swimming pool July 6.