News briefs for August 14, 2002

Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2002 | 11:03 a.m.

Perry to provide writing samples

District Judge Michael Douglas Tuesday ordered a Las Vegas man facing multiple sex and fraud-related charges to provide prosecutors with handwriting samples.

Franklyn Perry is accused of persuading a girl to pose for sexually explicit photographs, then managing to have the photos delivered to him while he was in jail. Prosecutors also allege he persuaded the girl, who was 12 to 13 at the time, to engage in sex acts while on the phone with him.

On Tuesday prosecutors asked Douglas to force Perry to give them printed and cursive handwriting samples. The judge agreed.

Deputy District Attorney William Kephart said Perry had initially told investigators he didn't know the girl, but authorities have seized letters reportedly written by Perry to the girl.

Perry is also facing more than 500 fraud-related charges in a separate trial. He is accused of bilking more than 1,100 people out of a total of $40 million in a Ponzi scheme.

Bicyclist killed when hit by car

A 24-year-old bicyclist was hit and killed Tuesday night when he rode into the path of an oncoming car, Metro Police said.

The cyclist was riding on the sidewalk along Craig Road near Copper Sage Street about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday when he apparently lost control, rode off the curb and drifted into the roadway, police said.

The cyclist rode into the path of a 1989 Suzuki Sidekick. The Suzuki struck the cyclist, knocking him to the ground. The cyclist, whose name was not available this morning, died at the scene. There were no other injuries, police said.

The cause of the accident appears to be error on the part of the bicycle rider, police said.