Probation given in shooting case

Kim Smith

Friday, July 12, 2002 | 9:46 a.m.

A Las Vegas man was sentenced to three years' probation for his part in the deadly shooting of a Henderson woman, and a bench warrant was issued for one of his co-defendants after he failed to show up for the sentencing hearing Thursday.

"It was kind of a weird deal. The one guy had been in touch with his attorney all along and we all expected he'd show up, but he didn't," Chief Deputy District Attorney Ed Kane said. "His attorney called house arrest and they said he left his house at 5 p.m. (Wednesday) and he hasn't been seen or heard from since."

Kane said that although Curtis Lavon Powers, 23, only had a small chance at probation to begin with, he blew even that by not making an appearance Thursday.

Powers and Marcus Dwayne Lowe, 23, pleaded guilty to accessory to murder after the fact in connection with the July 2001 death of Miranda Johnson, 21.

As a result of their plea agreement, both men could have received probation or a one to five-year prison term.

Lowe, who had no prior criminal history, was given probation by Mosley. If he fails to live up to the terms of his probation, he could spend up to four years in prison.

Kane said Powers was less likely to get probation because he also pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell in an unrelated case.

Arrest warrants were issued for Powers, Lowe and James Turner Jr. last July after Johnson was shot to death.

Police believe Turner was angry that Johnson's husband, Edward Wiggins, decided not to sign with Turner's Creative Rap Entertainment Organization.

According to court testimony, Turner called Wiggins on July 7 telling him to meet him, saying, "Let's finish this. See what happens when I go to your crib. So get here. I'll be waiting for you."

Wiggins was on his cell phone talking to his wife, who was home with their 3-week-old child, when Turner allegedly kicked in the front door and shot her in the head.

The baby was found on the floor by police, unharmed and sleeping.

Turner pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the middle of his trial last month. He is scheduled to receive a 20-year to life prison sentence on July 25.

Lowe and Powers were seen near the home at the time of the shooting, but no one could place them inside the home. As a result, they were offered the plea agreement.