News briefs for April 19, 2001

Thursday, April 19, 2001 | 10:32 a.m.

Suspect faces trial on 42 counts

A Las Vegas teen suspected in a number of violent home invasions and the murder of a former monk is scheduled to be tried on more than 40 counts.

Justice of the Peace Nancy Oesterle ruled Wednesday morning that there is enough evidence to try Justin Porter, 17, in connection with 10 home invasions. However, she dismissed charges pertaining to three separate incidents, citing lack of evidence.

In all, Porter faces 42 counts, ranging from burglary and kidnapping to sexual assault and murder.

Oesterle's decision comes after several days of hearings held last fall. The judge also read a series of briefs from attorneys on both sides.

Police believe Porter, 17, invaded 13 homes in 2000 between Feb. 1 and June 9,. In six of the incidents women were sexually assaulted, and in a seventh a man was murdered.

Police seek help on homicide

Henderson Police are asking for the public's help to solve the slaying of a 17-year-old girl whose body was found off the side of a road near Warm Spings Road on Tuesday morning.

Family members identified the girl as Amanda Harkness of Las Vegas, Capt. Jutta Chambers said.

Harkness was found at about 6:30 a.m. Tuesday near the intersection of Warm Springs and McCormick Road, Henderson Police spokeswoman Valerie Klein said.

The victim is described as white, 5 feet 1 inch tall, 110 pounds, with long brown hair with a reddish tint. She wore a green dice earring, a navy blue T-shirt and orange cargo pants. Under the T-shirt she was wearing a black tank top with the words "Property of Playgirl Athletic Dept." on the front.

Anyone with information about the homicide is asked to call police at 565-2009 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

Henderson teen faces charges

Henderson Police arrested a 17-year-old on five counts of attempted murder after shots were fired at a group of young men at an apartment complex.

Police responded to the Lakewood Cove Apartments, 1100 Center St., about 5:15 p.m., Capt. Jutta Chambers said.

Witnesses reported that a suspect had fired a handgun at a group of five males, all between the ages of 16 to 22, striking four of them. The four shot suffered only minor injuries and were taken to University Medical Center.

Witnesses said that the victims ran from the suspect after the shooting, and that the suspect then fled the complex.

Marcus Allen Mattingly was arrested and charged in connection with the shootings about 6 p.m., when he was located in a vacant house on Meyers Avenue, southeast of Warm Springs Road.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call police at 565-2009, or Secret Witness 385-5555.

Retail center deal approved

The city of Las Vegas has approved a sale agreement with WLVD, LLC to purchase 10 acres in West Las Vegas to build a commercial retail complex.

According to the agreement approved Wednesday, WLVD agrees to purchase the parcel at the southwest corner of Martin Luther King and Lake Mead boulevards -- in the Las Vegas Enterprise Park -- for $2.6 million and develop a commercial retail center of at least 100,000 square feet.

Within 14 months after the company closes on the site, construction must begin. The company then has 18 months to finish construction.

The council also voted to allow the redevelopment agency to negotiate with WLVD for another West Las Vegas project.

The redevelopment agency is proposing to sell an 11-acre parcel at Owens Avenue and H Street to WLVD for $1 to develop a commercial complex.

WLVD has been given commitments from future tenants at the parcel, which is next to Magic's Westland Plaza.

More funds to Kitchell CEM

for increased work on the Stewart Avenue Parking Garage were approved. The Las Vegas City Council authorized an additional $123,000.