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November 8, 2009

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New trial sought in homeless man’s death

Wednesday, May 29, 2002 | 9:44 a.m.

Attorneys for a Panaca woman convicted in the beating and stabbing death of a Las Vegas homeless man are asking for a new trial, saying a key state witness perjured herself on the stand.

Special Public Defender Phil Kohn said he believes jurors in the Kirstin Blaise Lobato case deserved to know that jailhouse informant Korinda Martin lied on the stand when she denied writing letters to a judge on her own behalf while in jail on a robbery case.

A Metro Police handwriting analysis proves Martin did write the letters, thus casting doubt on Martin's credibility, Kohn said.

"Our theory is that Korinda Martin would do anything to get out of jail and the jury didn't know that," Kohn said. "And since she was the only witness who testified about premeditation and malice, this is a critical issue. Without her, the state has something other than murder."

Lobato, 19, was convicted of first-degree murder with use of a deadly weapon for the July 8 death of Duran Bailey, 44. She will be sentenced July 2.

Martin testified that Lobato told her she killed Bailey when he demanded sex in exchange for drugs.

District Judge Valorie Vega will rule on the new trial June 18.

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