Issues over media coverage cause delay

Kim Smith

Wednesday, May 1, 2002 | 9:53 a.m.

The arraignment of a Chandler, Ariz., man charged with firing fatal shots in Saturday's deadly biker melee in Laughlin was postponed a few hours this morning when an issue arose over media coverage.

Both prosecutors and defense attorneys in the Calvin Schaefer case asked Justice of the Peace Deborah Lippis this morning to prevent the media from taking photos of the defendant's face.

The attorneys said law enforcement officers are still investigating the melee and if photos are distributed to the public, it may taint the results of any identification lineups.

Lippis postponed the 7:30 a.m. hearing until 10 a.m. to give media members an opportunity to obtain counsel to fight the attorneys' motion.

Several Metro officers were present inside and outside Lippis' courtroom monitoring those who entered. Two of the officers were taking photos in the hallway.

Schaefer was arrested Saturday and charged with murder.

Just after 2 a.m. Saturday, police allege, members of rival motorcycle gangs, the Hells Angels and the Mongols, got into a gun and knife fight inside Harrah's.

According to court documents, nearly 30 Hells Angels members left the Flamingo Hilton, where they normally stay, and went over to Harrah's, knowing that is where the Mongols traditionally stay.

Once inside they headed to Rosa's Cantina and the fight broke out.

Three California men -- Jeramie Dean Bell, 27, of Hughson, Robert Emmet Tumelty, 50, of Stockton, and Anthony Salvador Barrera, 43, of Rancho Cucamonga -- were killed.

Twelve others, including five hospitalized at University Medical Center, were injured.

An arrest report states Schaefer is seen on a surveillance tape pulling out a 9 mm weapon, firing it numerous times and then hiding it in a trash can.