Court briefs for June 26, 2001

Tuesday, June 26, 2001 | 11 a.m.

Teen enters plea agreement

A Las Vegas teen accused of shooting a man to death through a door two and a half years ago entered a plea agreement Monday.

John Williams pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and will receive a life term when sentenced by District Judge Donald Mosley on Aug. 8, Chief Deputy District Attorney Ed Kane said.

Williams will become eligible for parole after serving 10 years.

According to police, Williams was on probation for armed robbery when he and Sergio Esparaza, 30, argued about Williams playing his music too loud.

Later that evening, Esparaza apparently slammed his door in Williams' face, and Williams, then 16, fired several shots through the door with a .22 caliber rifle.

Williams is also known as Lasane Crooks, which was the real name of slain rap music performer and actor Tupac Shakur.

Man pleads guilty in accident

An 18-year-old Las Vegas resident pleaded guilty Monday in an auto-pedestrian accident that killed an 87-year-old man last month.

Isidro Rubio pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the death of Faustino Palomar.

Rubio could receive probation or a one- to four-year term when sentenced by District Judge Nancy Saitta on Aug. 20, said Chief Deputy District Attorney Gary Booker.

Booker said he believes Rubio's inexperience in driving caused him to accidentally step on the gas instead of the brake while driving near Owens and Eastern avenues.

Rubio lost control of the car and it hit a retaining wall, causing the air bag to deploy. The car then struck Palomar and two parked cars.

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