Court briefs for December 22, 2000

Friday, Dec. 22, 2000 | 11:05 a.m.

Jury still mulls murder case

The jury deliberating the fate of a man accused of shooting to death two men who were part of an anti-racist skinhead group in July 1998 resumed deliberations today at 9 a.m.

John Edward Butler, 28, is accused of killing Daniel Shersty, 20, and Lin Newborn, 25, on July 4, 1998, in the desert west of Las Vegas.

If convicted, Butler could receive the death penalty.

The jury members were to resume deliberations on Wednesday if they had not reached a verdict by noon today.

Alleged robber's court date moved

The preliminary hearing of a Las Vegas man suspected of robbing Treasure Island three times and shooting a security guard has been pushed back to Jan. 19.

Justice of the Peace Nancy Oesterle rescheduled Reginald Johnson's preliminary hearing after a brief court appearance Thursday morning. It had been scheduled for Jan. 2.

Johnson, 26, is suspected of shooting a security guard during a robbery attempt at Treasure Island on Dec. 12 and of successfully robbing the hotel-casino twice before.

The security guard was released from University Medical Center Sunday.