Court briefs for March 21, 2002

Thursday, March 21, 2002 | 9:46 a.m.

Man given life in beating death

A Peruvian citizen who pleaded guilty to beating his girlfriend's daughter to death was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 10 years.

Charles Felipa was also sentenced to pay $4,600 in restitution to the hospital that treated the 2-year-old girl after the January 2001 beating.

Elizabeth Calvillo, the child's mother, also bears responsibility for paying the money. She was given five years' probation for felony child neglect and has already been deported to her native Mexico, Felipa's attorney, Lizzie Hatcher, said.

The United States has no treaty with Peru to enforce the prison term, so if Felipa is deported, he could go free, Hatcher said. But prison officials can refuse to release him to immigration officials, she said.

She added that she may appeal the sentence because Felipa was not allowed to withdraw his guilty plea earlier this month.

Perry to stand trial in October

Almost two years after being arrested in connection with a fatal shooting at a North Las Vegas strip club, Jack Perry will stand trial on murder charges in October.

Perry, 54, the son of the former owners of the Palomino Club, pleaded not guilty to the charges Wednesday at his arraignment before District Judge Joseph Bonaventure. His trial is set for Oct. 7.

Perry, who is free on bond, is accused of killing Palomino manager Kenneth Rowan at the club on Dec. 27, 2001.

Rowan's family members have complained that the case has dragged on for more almost 15 months, but prosecuters have blamed scheduling for the delay.