Man gets life sentence in death of bartender

Kim Smith

Monday, May 1, 2000 | 11:29 a.m.

For the second time in five years, a Las Vegas man has been sentenced to two life prison terms for a 1992 robbery that ended in the death of a bartender.

District Judge John McGroarty gave Michael Silva the life terms Friday after rejecting both Silva's motion for a new trial and his plea for leniency.

According to authorities, Silva and a karate student of his, Brian Loehr, stabbed Howard Gibbons, 62, to death during a March 1992 robbery of the Wagon Wheel Bar, 1695 Nellis Blvd.

Loehr pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison with parole possible after 20 years. However, Silva went to trial in 1995 and was convicted of first-degree murder.

The Nevada Supreme Court overturned Silva's conviction, but he was convicted again in October despite his contention that his confession was coerced by police.

On Friday Silva, who represented himself, argued that he deserves a third trial because of the confession he alleges was coerced.

When McGroarty denied Silva's motion, Silva turned his attention to his sentence, saying he believes he should get a break because he has acted in an exemplary manner while in prison.