Supreme Court rejects appeal of LV killer

Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2002 | 8:28 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court Tuesday rejected the appeal of Jason D. Webber, who sought to withdraw his guilty plea to first-degree murder in the 2001 fatal shooting of his brother-in-law in Las Vegas.

Webber, who was 18 at the time, said he had low reading and comprehension skills that prevented him from fully understanding the consequences of his guilty plea. He said he did not realize he would have to wait at least 20 years before he would be eligible for parole as the result of his life term.

Webber maintained he was rushed into entering the plea that he fatally shot Marc Lohr, 31. He maintained the shooting was in self-defense.

The Supreme Court said District Judge Joseph Bonaventure took extra time to go through the plea agreement.

"There is no indication in the record that appellant did not understand the nature and consequences of his guilty plea," the court said.

The justices noted Bonaventure continued the original hearing to allow Webber extra time to determine whether he wanted to accept the negotiations and plead guilty. They added that he failed to present any facts to support his claim that the shooting was in self-defense.