Court briefs for July 7, 2000

Friday, July 7, 2000 | 11:03 a.m.

New trial sought for Johnson

Donte Johnson, convicted in the killing of four young men, wants a new trial, claiming two of the jurors who convicted him last month acted inappropriately during the trial.

On Thursday, Deputy Special Public Defender Dayvid Figler will be asking District Judge Jeffrey Sobel for a new trial. Figler said that during discussions with the jurors after the trial, two jurors mentioned that television news had erroneously reported that a woman juror was the only person who was anti-death penalty.

Jurors are admonished not to watch or read coverage of the trial because it may affect their deliberations. Figler said for that reason, Johnson deserves a new trial.

In addition, one of the same jurors also said she had been frightened by a black man she encountered carrying a duffle bag in an elevator during the trial. She said she saw him on the same day the jurors heard testimony that Johnson and his co-defendants, who are all black, had left for their victims' house carrying a duffle bag.

Deputy District Attorney Robert Daskas, in response to Figler's motion, has said that the incidents involving the jurors are "insufficient to constitute misconduct" and are not grounds for a new trial.

Woman pleads guilty, mentally ill

A Las Vegas woman who shot a friend in the leg last year pleaded guilty but mentally ill to voluntary manslaughter Thursday.

Rosie Marie Jimmerson, 50, could get anywhere from probation up to 20 years when she is sentenced by District Judge Mark Gibbons Aug. 17, said deputy public defender Howard Brooks.

According to authorities, Jimmerson shot Eugene Brooks once in the leg during an argument in which they were both inebriated. The bullet struck an artery and Brooks, 63, bled to death.

Jimmerson, who called 911 after the shooting, spent several months in a psychiatric facility until doctors deemed her competent to stand trial, Brooks said.

By pleading guilty but mentally ill, Jimmerson will be guaranteed treatment if she is sentenced to prison, Brooks said. If she receives probation, mental health treatment could be required.

Guilty plea entered in case

A first-year physical education teacher and softball coach pleaded guilty Thursday to having sex with one of her students and for supplying the girl with alcohol.

Lora Rodriguez could get anywhere from probation to up to five years in prison when she is sentenced by District Judge Joseph Bonaventure on Aug. 24, Chief Deputy District Attorney Doug Herndon said.

Rodriguez, who is married and has children, was arrested June 6 after it was revealed she had engaged in sexual conduct with one of her Valley High School students. She resigned from the school district May 24.