Ex-death row inmate attends Nevius’ hearing
Thursday, April 12, 2001 | 10:43 a.m.
CARSON CITY -- A clemency hearing Wednesday for condemned inmate Thomas Nevius drew a crowd of lawyers, relatives of Nevius and the man he's convicted of killing -- and former death row inmate Jack Mazzan.
Mazzan, 54, said after the lengthy Nevada Pardons Board hearing that, "I really felt exactly the weight (that Nevius felt). There's hope that you're going to get relief, and fear that you won't."
The board's decision, sought by its chairman, Gov. Kenny Guinn, was to get more information on Nevius' mental state, to determine whether his lawyers are accurate in describing him as mentally retarded.
"I'm glad the governor did what he did," said Mazzan. "He didn't just take the party line. It seems to be a very fair decision."
"There but for the grace ..." added Mazzan when asked whether the more than four hours of testimony in Nevius' case brought up strong emotions about his own case.
Mazzan spent 20 years on death row before his conviction was reversed last year. In a bombshell January 2000 ruling, the state Supreme Court criticized prosecutors for not giving the defense information about other suspects -- alleged drug dealers who hadn't been paid for thousands of dollars worth of drugs supplied to the victim, Richard Minor Jr.
Mazzan faces a retrial for a 1978 murder -- but won't face the death penalty again.
In advance of the retrial, a two-day hearing is scheduled next week in Washoe County District Court to review old evidence that was used in the trial that led to Mazzan's death sentence for the knifing death of Minor, his friend and the son of then-Reno Justice of the Peace Richard Minor.
archive
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- Funeral procession for slain officer includes Las Vegas Strip
- General Growth moving subsidiaries out of bankruptcy protection
- Justin Hawkins is a Rebel with many causes
- Man on death row for 1990 Vegas murder kills self
- Metro officer remembered as ‘protector’ of family, community
- When did Binion’s $1 million display appear?
- 6th arrest made in officer’s death; 5 face formal charges
- Judge to rule whether Lt. Gov. Krolicki case continues
- Marcus Jones finds his true passion in hunt for UFC contract
- Henderson educator named Nevada Teacher of the Year
Blogs
The Kats Report
Twenty years ago today, Human Nature took root on the farm
'DWTS' champ Donny Osmond still deft afoot in return to Flamingo (2 Comments)
Politics: The Early Line
Meeting of GOP governors draws challengers, not Gibbons (2 Comments)
Politics: Ralston's Flash
Oscar loves forcing developers to sign labor peace agreements, Culinary loves the city's downtown plans and all is forgiven (2 Comments)
Now and Then
Underdog is open on a post pattern
Miech Again
Kruger contract altered in September (6 Comments)
Robin Leach's Las Vegas Celebrity Watch
Photo Gallery: Donny Osmond brings DWTS trophy to Las Vegas
Calendar »
- 26 Thu
- 27 Fri
- 28 Sat
- 29 Sun
- 30 Mon
-
Food drive with Adam Hunter at Bonkerz Comedy Club
Bonkerz Comedy Club | 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
-
DJ Battle at Drai's
Drai's Afterhours | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
2012 at Cheyenne Saloon
Cheyenne Saloon | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Sampson's Army at the Double Down Saloon
Double Down Saloon | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Technorati












