Three men could face death penalty

Kim Smith

Wednesday, May 22, 2002 | 10:53 a.m.

Three Las Vegas men accused of drowning two teenagers in a drug dispute will likely face the death penalty.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Ed Kane told Justice of the Peace Tony Abbatangelo this morning that whoever is appointed to represent the three young men should be attorneys who are certified to handle death penalty cases.

After appointing them attorneys, Abbatangelo scheduled the preliminary hearings of Eduvijes Pena, 19, Manuel Orta, 20, and Nicolas Felix, 20, for June 11.

According to a police report unsealed today, Pena told police on April 27 that Cleofas Martinez, 17, and Julio Cano, 19, were tied up on April 22 and interrogated about double crossing someone in a drug deal.

Although he didn't go with them, Orta told police he believes the victims were drowned in "the lake."

Martinez and Cano were found near North Lamb Boulevard and Interstate 15 and an autopsy revealed they had been drowned. Kane said it was possible the men were drowned while bound within large pieces of luggage.

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