News briefs for Sept. 13, 2000

Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2000 | 11:49 a.m.

19-year-old dies in shooting

A 19-year-old man died from a gunshot wound at Lake Mead Hospital Tuesday night.

Narcios Cano of Las Vegas was with friends when they got into an argument with two men. After the argument, the pair got into a white pickup and followed Cano and his companions, who were in separate cars, Metro Police said.

The men in the truck followed the group north on Lamb Boulevard to Interstate 15. On the freeway, one of the men in the pickup fired several shots at the cars they were following. One shot struck Cano in the chest. His friends drove him to the hospital, where he died a few minutes after arrival, police said.

The two men were driving a small white truck with a camper shell, small wheels and dark tinted windows, police said.

Cano's death was the 71st homicide in Metro's jurisdiction this year, compared with 79 at this time last year.

Anyone who has information about this crime can call Metro's homicide section 229-3521 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

Attempted murder suspect found dead

A Boulder City man suspected of attempted murder was found dead Sunday at Burrow Wash in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

Two hikers found a man who has been identified as 25-year-old Daniel Hudec near the Nevada side of the Colorado River, according to park officials.

Hudec was being investigated in connection with the beating of a female relative Sept. 5 and was believed to be fleeing from police. He had not been charged. Police said they had not had a chance to speak with him.

The body was found about four miles from Hudec's home. He fled on foot after the woman went to a neighbor's home and contacted police.

Death considered for convicted killer

Jurors resumed deliberations at 8 a.m. today in the penalty phase of the Scott Bedard capital murder trial.

The jurors began weighing the fate of Bedard around 1 p.m. Tuesday, but went home without reaching a decision.

Bedard, 34, was found guilty of first-degree murder Friday in the execution-style slaying of Billy Hanlon Jr. in August 1997. Prosecutors believe Bedard killed the cleaning service owner after he stumbled upon Bedard during a burglary.

The 33-year-old Hanlon, son of former state Board of Education member Bill Hanlon Sr., was found at the Templeton Plaza building on Rainbow Boulevard with a gunshot wound in his head Aug. 6, 1997.

Jurors must decide whether Bedard should be executed for the slaying, given 100 years in prison, life without possibility of parole or life with parole possible after 40 years.

Judge asked to lift road stay

Government attorneys have asked a federal judge in Reno to lift a stay placed on a lawsuit filed against Elko County and others in the ongoing debate over ownership of a rural road.

The government is also asking U.S. District Court Judge David Hagen to allow federal officials to restrict vehicle access on South Canyon Road in an effort to protect endangered fish.

The rural dirt road leading to the wilderness areas of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is the focus of a five-year debate between county officials and local residents and the federal government. Residents of Elko County claim the road belongs to the county, but federal officials disagree and closed the road after a flood washed a section away in 1995.

New weed rules are proposed

To slow the spread of noxious weeds in Nevada, the federal Bureau of Land Management is proposing that hay, straw or mulch that is used on BLM lands be certified free of weed seeds.

Noxious weeds, such as tall whitetop, yellow starthistle, leafy spurge and other displaced vegetation, destroys wildlife habitat and reduces grazing lands.

The proposed rule is expected to go into effect next fall. Comments on the proposal will be accepted until Oct. 10.