Separate trials ordered in two sex cases

Kim Smith

Monday, Nov. 4, 2002 | 9:35 a.m.

A defense attorney successfully argued Friday that a client who is accused of raping two women and a young relative deserves two trials.

Deputy Public Defender Steve Immerman told District Judge Michael Cherry that if he didn't agree to sever Steven Newberg's trial into two "there would really be no point in having a trial" at all.

Newberg was charged with more than 20 sex-related crimes after his former girlfriend found several videotapes purportedly showing the sexual assaults of numerous women.

Only five of the women have been identified -- two Las Vegas prostitutes, the young relative and two California women who have not yet been found. The charges that have been filed pertain to the Nevada cases.

Immerman told Cherry he intends to put on two distinct defenses. The young girl had consensual sex with Newberg, making him guilty of statutory sexual seduction, not sexual assault, Immerman said.

As for the prostitutes, they willingly had sex with Newberg for money, Immerman said.

Unfortunately, however, if one set of jurors heard both cases the jury wouldn't care if the prostitutes were telling the truth or not because of the girl's claims of rape, Immerman said.

Deputy District Attorney Lisa Luzaich Rego argued that jurors are entitled to hear the "whole story" about Newberg. Moreover, the two cases combined show a "common scheme or plan," she said.

Cherry said he believed jurors would be unduly prejudiced against Newberg during a single trial and ordered two trials to be held.

The first trial, which will pertain to the allegations by the girl, will be held Jan. 13.