Court briefs for April 23, 2002

Tuesday, April 23, 2002 | 9:35 a.m.

Woman receives 3 years' probation

A Las Vegas woman who worked for a man suspected of bilking more than 1,100 people out of $40 million was placed on three years' probation Monday.

Sherri Kamimura was accused along with Franklyn Perry, 61, and Maria Shaw-Pimentel of operating a Ponzi scheme in which prospective investors were falsely told they were lending money to high-rolling gamblers who had hit their credit limits.

Kamimura pleaded guilty in February to conspiracy to commit securities fraud and/or theft and sale of an unregistered security. She could have received as much as five years in prison as a result of the deal.

Kamimura and Shaw-Pimentel, who also entered a plea agreement, will both testify against Perry at his trial, which is scheduled for July 8.

Killer handed two life terms

A 21-year-old Las Vegas man was sentenced to two life sentences Monday in connection with a fatal shooting in November 2000.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Frank Coumou said Jamaar Williams will have to serve at least 67 years before becoming eligible for parole in the death of Reggie Ezill, 25.

Coumou said Williams and Ezill got into a dispute over an unpaid debt and Williams killed Ezill before coming back the next day and wounding two witnesses in another shooting.

Coumou said one of those wounded men had to be tackled to the floor and escorted from the courtroom Monday after charging at Williams during his sentencing hearing.

Coumou said he doesn't believe the man will be charged with a crime as a result of his outburst.

Judge to decide on photo lineup

District Judge Sally Loehrer is scheduled to decide Wednesday if a photo lineup used to identify the suspect in a fatal beating can be used as evidence.

Usman Sadiq, 19, is accused of beating Kristopher Gregory, 21, to death with cinder blocks on Jan. 7.

Sadiq was identified as Gregory's assailant by at least two people who picked him out of a photo lineup that contained five other men. Sadiq's attorneys are saying the lineup was unfairly suggestive because he was the only one in it wearing a blue and red jacket like the one witnesses said the assailant was wearing.

Loehrer said she wants to see the color photos actually used in the lineup before making a decision.