Charges dropped in Laughlin shooting

Kim Smith

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.