Thursday, Nov. 1, 2001 | 9:47 a.m.
Two counselors receive probation
Two former youth corrections counselors who pleaded guilty to engaging in sex acts with inmates at a youth prison in North Las Vegas were sentenced to two years' probation Wednesday.
District Judge Joseph Bonaventure sentenced Jennifer Burkley, 22, and Gloria Kim, 24, under the terms of a plea agreement worked out in September.
The women were arrested in August after authorities substantiated allegations that they had engaged in sex acts with two young men, ages 17 and 18, at the Summit View Youth Correctional Facility.
Bonaventure also ordered the women to pay $500 in fines and attend impulse control classes and other counseling programs recommended by the state's parole and probation department.
Rodman loses plea for ban
If Court TV wants to nationally broadcast Dennis Rodman's trial this week, it can.
District Judge James Mahan ruled against the former National Basketball Association star's defense attorneys Wednesday and in favor of the First Amendment by saying the cable network can air the trial, which was to start with jury selection this morning.
Rodman is being sued by a former Las Vegas craps dealer, who claims Rodman rubbed the dealer's bald head, stomach and groin with a pair of dice during a game in 1998.
Rodman's attorneys argued that a televised trial would prompt more people to file "frivolous" lawsuits against their client. Mahan said he believed just the opposite is true.
Woman gets life in prison
A Las Vegas woman was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday in the shooting death of a 58-year-old Henderson man.
Lakeisha Smith, 24, will have to serve at least 20 years in prison before becoming eligible for parole, Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael O'Callaghan said.
Authorities allege Smith, Taras Stewart, 17, and Frederick Benson, 21, shot Henry Zegler in a dispute over a Ford Mustang and $800 in February 2000.
Zegler was able to call 911, identify Smith as one of his assailants and provide her address, O'Callaghan said.
Smith pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in September, and Stewart pleaded guilty to second-degree murder shortly thereafter.
Stewart is expected to get a 10-year to life sentence on Nov. 19, and Benson is scheduled to go to trial Jan. 28.
If convicted, Benson could receive the death penalty.
Sentencing of driver delayed
The sentencing of an Illinois woman who pleaded guilty in connection with a drunken driving accident that killed a Sandy Valley couple has been postponed.
Melissa Biba, 22, will now be sentenced Nov. 9 for the deaths of Richard Scott Sr. 59, and Carlene Scott, 66.
Because of a plea agreement, Biba is expected to get a six to 20-year sentence.
Biba had been scheduled to be sentenced Friday, but District Judge Mark Gibbons agreed Wednesday to postpone the hearing at the request of her attorney, who would not be available Friday.
Prosecutors allege Biba struck Scott's vehicle at a high rate of speed while driving drunk on Interstate 15 in February. The vehicle rolled several times, and the Scotts were killed.
Man takes plea agreement
A 43-year-old Las Vegas man accused of knowingly exposing a man to the virus that causes AIDS has entered a plea agreement.
Deputy District Attorney Mary Brown said William Freeman admitted Wednesday that prosecutors have enough evidence to prove that he attempted to transfer HIV to a 32-year-old man in September 2000.
Freeman also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence.
As a result of the plea agreement, Brown said Freeman could get up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine when sentenced Dec. 10.
Authorities allege Freeman met the victim at a bar, drove out into the desert and engaged in unprotected sex acts, although Freeman knew he was infected with HIV.
Freeman was arrested when police came across the pair and discovered a medicine bottle filled with AZT, a drug used to treat HIV.
So far, the victim has tested negative for the disease, Brown said.
Defense attorney James "Bucky" Buchanan said that although he believes Freeman's sex partner knew Freeman had HIV, his client took the deal because his past criminal history could have resulted in a much lengthier prison sentence if he was convicted at trial.
Death penalty will be sought
The Clark County district attorney's office intends to seek the death penalty for a Las Vegas man suspected of killing his mother and stepfather in June.
Chief Deputy District Attorney David Schwartz said a panel of attorneys within the district attorney's office decided Tuesday there are enough aggravating circumstances in the case against Mathew Frenn, 29, to warrant seeking the death penalty if he is convicted of first-degree murder in the slayings.
Schwartz said Frenn told police he beat his 60-year-old mother with a club and his stepfather with a hammer before stabbing them to death a few days before Father's Day.
The bodies of Dorothy and Lee Jackson were found in their home near Interstate 215 and Gibson Road weeks later. Dorothy Jackson was found inside her refrigerator and Lee Jackson, 69, was found in a bathtub that had been covered in plastic.
Frenn was arrested in Texas after police traced him through credit cards he had reportedly taken from the Jacksons after their deaths.
Frenn's trial is scheduled for April.
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