Local news briefs for July 25, 2000

Tuesday, July 25, 2000 | 10:04 a.m.

Court dismisses plea of cabbie killer

CARSON CITY -- Frederick Paine, sentenced to death for the killing of a Las Vegas cabdriver in 1990, isn't going to be able to withdraw his guilty plea.

The Nevada Supreme Court Monday dismissed the appeal of Paine, who said he was not aware when he pleaded guilty that a three-judge panel was more likely to impose the death penalty than a District Court jury. After a person pleads guilty to first-degree murder, a three-judge panel hears testimony and sets the penalty.

The court said Paine clearly understood death was an option and he did not demonstrate his plea "was unknowing and unintelligent."

He was convicted of the fatal shooting of cabdriver Kenneth Marcum during a robbery. He was also convicted of the robbing and wounding of another taxi driver.

His first death penalty was overturned when the court determined one of the judges was apparently sleeping during the hearing. At a second hearing, he was again sentenced to death.

Sentencing set for pharmacist

District Judge Joseph Bonaventure Monday set Sept. 11 for sentencing of Las Vegas pharmacist James B. Beck on his guilty plea to one count of Medicaid fraud.

He faces up to four years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Tim Terry, director of the Medicaid fraud unit in the state attorney general's office, said Beck worked at a Rite-Aid Pharmacy and was also under contract to a nursing home. He said Beck improperly billed for drugs he claimed to have provided to Medicaid recipients while he actually diverted the drugs to the nursing home.