Man who killed his stepfather loses appeal

Friday, March 31, 2000 | 10:12 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court Thursday rejected the appeal of death-row inmate Rodney L. Emil, convicting of killing his stepfather to collect on his life insurance policy.

The court turned down contentions by Emil that his attorneys at trial, David M. Schieck and Cal Potter III, were ineffective. The court did say some evidence favorable to Emil was not supplied by the prosecution to defense lawyers.

Frederick Woodall, who witnessed the killing, testified he had not received any benefits in exchange for the information he provided to police, but it was learned later the prosecutor had refused to file three drug-related offenses that were sought by police against Woodall.

The court also said there were contradictory statements about whether Woodall had been offered immunity by Metro Police Detective Thomas Dillard.

While this evidence was not produced by the prosecution, the court said Emil failed to demonstrate that he had been prejudiced in mounting his case. The court said the issues were of "marginal value" to the defense, if they had been known.

Charles Howard Emil, 46, the stepfather, was found on June 18, 1984, shot to death in a pickup truck parked off the pavement near Rainbow Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue in Las Vegas.

Woodall testified he, Alan Carmack and Emil were riding in a car when they came up to the pickup truck. He said Emil fired at his stepfather several times.