Foreman’s killing blamed on witchcraft

Kim Smith

Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2002 | 9:45 a.m.

A 35-year-old construction worker charged with murder in the death of his foreman will likely go to a state mental health facility for an evaluation because he told police the foreman was a "witch" bent on placing a curse on him.

Deputy Public Defender Joseph Abood said this morning that a doctor who met with Reyes M. Olivares at the Clark County Detention Center Monday believes Olivares is incompetent.

As a result, Abood waived Olivares' right to a preliminary hearing during a Justice Court appearance this morning, thus sending the case immediately to District Court.

Abood said he intends to ask District Judge Joseph Bonaventure to send Olivares to Lake's Crossing in Sparks for further evaluations and possible treatment.

Olivares has been charged with one count of open murder in the death of Vaughn Russell, 43.

According to police reports, Olivares told Metro Police Detective Phil Ramos that the night before Russell was shot to death Olivares had dreamed that Russell was trying to kill him.

Olivares told the detective that he feared for his life and took his gun to work with him. He warned several co-workers that Russell was a witch and that Russell was practicing black magic. He said he was going to kill Russell before Russell killed him, according to the police report.

Olivares then found Russell operating a forklift and asked him for some nails.

Ramos said Olivares told him that Vaughn cursed at him, turned his back to him and passed gas, which he interpreted as casting a spell on him.

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