Woman pleads for fiance’s life

Angela Soo

Thursday, Nov. 15, 2001 | 9:42 a.m.

In a plea to save her fiance's life, Theresa West told jurors Wednesday that her three children would be without a father if he receives the death penalty.

"We have children together," West said. "Please spare my children's father's life ... Please, for my children."

Damon Campbell, 26, was convicted Tuesday of first-degree murder and attempted murder in connection with a July shooting that killed Louis Alberto Martinez, 32, and paralyzed Carlos Villanueva, 28.

Prosecutors, who are seeking the death penalty, told jurors Wednesday that a number of aggravating circumstances warrant the sentence. Prosecutors said Campbell created a risk of harm to more than one person and that the killing was either racially motivated or done for no apparent reason.

The penalty phase was scheduled to continue today.

According to the state's witnesses, Campbell got into a confrontation with the victims outside his apartment on Elm Avenue. They said that Campbell, who is black, opened fire after saying he didn't want to see any more Hispanic people in his neighborhood.

Campbell's co-defendant, Sheldon Hollimon, testified the confrontation began when Campbell found one of the men relieving himself on his apartment wall, and the situation escalated.

Hollimon entered a plea agreement the day before the trial and is expected to receive a one-year to five-year prison sentence on a accessory to murder charge.

Defense attorney Stan Walton said the confrontation escalated because the victims had been drinking and were already riled up from an earlier unrelated fight with their own family members. Martinez had a blood alcohol level of .24. In Nevada, a level of 0.10 is legally considered drunk.

Chief Deputy District Attorney David Roger told jurors that Campbell has a "criminal history of guns and violence," which would justify the death penalty.

"The only appropriate punishment for this crime, this offense, is death," Roger said.

Campbell's family members and friends pleaded with the jury to show him mercy, especially since they don't believe Campbell is a racist.

His fiancee, who is of Hispanic and black descent, said she shares two children with Campbell. Campbell also fulfills the role of father for her third child, who is not Campbell's. None of the children are older than 5.

Rachel Ortega, who is Campbell's longtime friend, told jurors that Campbell is also a godfather to the children of her two brothers, who are Hispanic.

If the jury does not impose the death penalty, it can sentence Campbell to life in prison without the possibility of parole.