Indictment says teen was killed for bringing drugs into home

Kim Smith

Friday, Oct. 5, 2001 | 9:41 a.m.

Authorities believe a Las Vegas drug dealer shot a Henderson teenager to death because the victim had drugs delivered to the home the girl was sharing with the dealer's girlfriend and 2-year-old son.

Frederick John Giebler, 21, was indicted last month on murder, kidnapping and burglary charges in connection with the death of 17-year-old Amanda Harkness.

Harkness' body was found April 17 outside a city storage yard near Warm Springs and McCormick roads by a city of Henderson employee.

An autopsy revealed the teenager had been shot in the back of the head with a small caliber gun from within 2 feet.

According to grand jury transcripts released this week, Giebler's former girlfriend, Amanda Cordes, told grand jurors that the last time she saw Harkness, the victim was leaving the home -- which they shared -- with Giebler.

Cordes told police that Giebler was upset with Harkness because she had drugs delivered to the home she shared with Cordes and Giebler's 2-year-old son.

"He was trying to clean me up, and my son was living there and he didn't want (the alleged drug dealer) to bring stuff around that would cause harm to myself or our son," Cordes said.

Four months after Harkness' death, Giebler was arrested on drug charges. He pleaded guilty Sept. 12 to transporting a controlled substance and was placed in a Drug Court program. He was indicted on the murder charge one week later.

Cordes also said Giebler's face was painted white with black mascara lines running down it, similar to the characters in the "The Crow" movie series. His lips had also been painted black.

In each of the movies, the main character is brought back from the dead, by a crow, to seek vengeance.

Although she quickly learned of Harkness' death, Cordes said it wasn't until July that Giebler told her he had killed her.

Cordes said Giebler made Harkness get out of his car and kneel. He led her to believe he was going to leave her in the desert, but then shot her as he was getting back into his car, Cordes said.

Henderson Police Detective Gerard Collins told grand jurors that Giebler admitted he was angry with Harkness about bringing drugs into Cordes' home.

Giebler denied killing her and said he dropped her off near Sam's Town on Boulder Highway that night, Collins said.

During his videotaped statement, Collins said Giebler said he had painted his face on a few occasions to impress girls.

Giebler's defense attorney, Deputy Public Defender Drew Christensen, could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Giebler's trial is scheduled for Dec. 3.