Charges dropped in Laughlin shooting
Thursday, July 18, 2002 | 11:13 a.m.
Murder charges have been dismissed against a 32-year-old Arizona man who had been the only suspect charged in connection with the April casino melee in Laughlin that left three bikers dead.
According to court documents filed this morning, prosecutors cannot give Calvin Schaefer's attorneys copies of the videotaped event immediately "without potentially jeopardizing the physical integrity of certain video evidence for current continuing investigation and for other future related prosecutions."
Schaefer's attorneys had sought the videotapes before his preliminary hearing, which is scheduled for next week.
The charges were dismissed without prejudice, meaning they can be re-filed at a later date, Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael O'Callaghan said.
"I suspect we'll have 10 or more suspects identified by the time we get going," he said, adding that the screening process will determine how many will be charged.
O'Callaghan said police are still reviewing 600 hours of video, caught on more than 100 tapes. Technicians hope to preserve 10 to 15 percent of the video digitally so the quality isn't degraded -- a time-consuming process requiring the purchase of special equipment, O'Callaghan said.
Police allege Schaefer fired at least 11 shots in a confrontation between the Hells Angels and Mongols, both outlaw biker gangs.
archive
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- Wynns agree on ‘amicable’ split of assets in divorce
- Report details events leading to officer’s fatal shooting
- Golden Nugget opens $150 million, 500-room tower
- Could the game be partly to blame for addiction?
- Sluggish starts plague Rebels in early games this season
- Hundreds mourn slain Metro officer, denounce violence
- Report: LV home prices fall despite increases nationwide
- Funeral procession for slain officer includes Las Vegas Strip
- Boyd Gaming sues man over Internet domain name
- General Growth moving subsidiaries out of bankruptcy protection
Blogs
Politics: The Early Line
Meeting of GOP governors draws challengers, not Gibbons (1 Comment)
Politics: Ralston's Flash
Oscar loves forcing developers to sign labor peace agreements, Culinary loves the city's downtown plans and all is forgiven (1 Comment)
Now and Then
Underdog is open on a post pattern
Miech Again
Kruger contract altered in September (1 Comment)
Robin Leach's Las Vegas Celebrity Watch
Photo Gallery: Donny Osmond brings DWTS trophy to Las Vegas
High School Sports Scene
Prep Football: State Semifinals Picks (1 Comment)
Shark Bytes
Sharing some Thanksgiving traditions (3 Comments)
Calendar »
- 25 Wed
- 26 Thu
- 27 Fri
- 28 Sat
- 29 Sun
-
Food drive at LAX
LAX Nightclub | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Judge Jules at Godskitchen
Body English | 10:30 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Univision TV hosts at Blush
Blush Boutique Nightclub | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Mischieve Wednesdays at T&T
Tacos and Tequila
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Technorati













