Las Vegas news briefs for March 22, 2001

Thursday, March 22, 2001 | 11:18 a.m.

Mulberry pollen levels on the rise

The Clark County Health District reported the presence of very unhealthy levels of mulberry tree pollen this week around the Las Vegas Valley.

A monitor at C.P. Squires Elementary School on East Tonopah Avenue in North Las Vegas recorded the highest levels in the valley at 9,955 grains per cubic yard of air.

In contrast, a remote desert monitor recorded only 25 grains per cubic yard of air.

The mulberry pollen could continue for two to three weeks before other trees and grasses begin releasing pollen, health officials said.

Ash, cedar and juniper trees have already peaked this pollen season. Other trees yet to produce enough pollen to irritate allergy sufferers include olives and elms.

Mother charged in strange case

The woman accused of burying her son in the back yard of her home faces charges -- not for disposing of the body -- but for misleading investigators.

Beverly Johnson was charged after the body of her son, Robert Clay Johnson Jr., formerly of Murrieta, Calif., was found Nov. 10 in a shallow grave behind the Las Vegas tract home they shared, police Sgt. Kevin Manning said.

A Clark County coroner's report shows Johnson died of a drug overdose.

Johnson's mother is scheduled to appear in court March 28 on charges of obstructing justice for giving false information to missing person's investigators after family members reported the disabled man missing, Manning said, but not for burying his body.

"So far, no one has been able to tell us that it's illegal to do that (in Las Vegas)," Manning said.

Beverly Johnson told investigators that she couldn't afford a funeral, so she buried her son in the yard, Manning said.

Johnson, 42, had lived in Las Vegas for about five years.

Las Vegas police are also investigating why his mother didn't cancel his disability checks after his death.

Woman, 36, found dead

A 36-year-old woman was found shot to death on a sidewalk Wednesday night in Henderson.

Michele Marie Casebeer was found at about 9:20 p.m. in an area near the 1100 block of Center Street. She had been shot twice in the chest, Henderson Police said.

Witnesses described hearing gunshots and reported seeing two people running from the area but were unable to provide a description of the subjects, police said.

Anyone with information in this case is asked to call Henderson Police at 565-2000 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

Panel: Policeman followed procedure

Metro Police's use of force board ruled Wednesday night that an officer followed department guidelines when in January he shot and killed a schizophrenic man who was wielding a knife.

The board, composed of four citizens and three officers, ruled unanimously Officer Alfred Woodruff's actions were "lawful, proper and conformed to department policy," said Deputy Chief Ray Flynn of Metro's investigative services.

A Clark County coroner's inquest last month ruled Woodruff was justified when he shot and killed David Herrera Jan. 17 at Herrera's parents' house in the 4900 block of Terra Circle, near Tropicana Avenue and Nellis Boulevard.

Woodruff and four other officers arrived at the home after two state mental health workers retreated from the residence when they encountered Herrera, who was armed with a knife.