Court briefs for November 30, 2000

Thursday, Nov. 30, 2000 | 11:35 a.m.

Trial delayed in killing of dad

The trial of a 16-year-old boy accused of shooting his father to death in January has been pushed back to March.

Conan Pope was expected to go to trial in February, but because of scheduling changes among the judges, he will now go on trial March 26.

Prosecutors believe Pope shot his father, Frank Pope, 62, in cold-blood on Jan. 6.

Sentencing delayed for Binion figure

A man who played a minor role in the Ted Binion murder case has been ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation by a federal judge.

David Gomez, 32, was scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday in U.S. District Court on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice, but the sentencing was delayed at the request of his defense attorney, who asked that Gomez be evaluated for a mental illness.

The charges stem from a 1996 bank robbery case.

Gomez surfaced during the Ted Binion murder case earlier this year when prosecutors were accused of planting him in a cell with Rick Tabish, who along with Sandy Murphy were later convicted of murdering the wealthy casino owner.

Gomez refused to answer questions during a hearing in February, and prosecutors denied planting him in Tabish's cell to act as an informant.

Woman receives 3 years' probation

A 25-year-old Las Vegas woman was sentenced to three years' probation Wednesday for the theft of a car that was used in a police officer-related shooting.

District Judge Sally Loehrer sentenced Kimberly Landrum after Landrum pleaded guilty to embezzlement. If Landrum violates the terms of her probation, she could be sentenced to as much as six years in prison or as little as 16 months.

Police officers believe Landrum rented the car connected with the robbery of a Macayo Vegas restaurant in June. Markus Weatherspoon, Terrence Winn and Darnell Harris are awaiting trial in that robbery.

As the robbers ran out of the restaurant, one of them fired at Metro Officer Pete Rossi, 26, striking him in the face. Rossi was blinded in one eye.

Las Vegas woman pleads guilty, fined

Rachelle Pahate, 23, of Las Vegas has been fined $500 after she pleaded guilty to trying to make a false insurance claim on her car.

Deputy District Attorney Gregory Hojnowski said Pahate told Progressive Insurance Co. in October 1999 that her 1997 Honda Civic had been vandalized while parked in front of her residence. She made a claim for $6,275, including $4,075 for a stereo system that she had never purchased.