Man who skipped sentencing turns up

Kim Smith

Thursday, Nov. 7, 2002 | 9:05 a.m.

A 23-year-old Las Vegas man who didn't show up for his sentencing in a murder case in July turned himself in Wednesday.

Curtis Lavon Powers appeared in District Judge Donald Mosley's courtroom and was immediately taken into custody.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Ed Kane said Powers offered no explanation as to why he didn't attend what was supposed to be his sentencing hearing four months ago.

Powers' attorney, David Schieck, declined to comment on Powers' actions.

Powers and Marcus Dwayne Lowe, 23, pleaded guilty to accessory to murder after the fact in connection with the July 2001 death of Miranda Johnson, 21.

Police believe a friend of the men, James Turner Jr., was angry that Johnson's husband, Edward Wiggins, decided not to sign with Turner's Creative Rap Entertainment Organization.

Turner is alleged to have called Wiggins on his cell phone demanding that they meet at Wiggins' home. He also allegedly made a vague threat.

Wiggins was on his cell phone talking to his wife, who was home with their 3-week-old child, when Turner allegedly kicked in the front door and shot her in the head.

The baby was found on the floor by police, unharmed and sleeping.

Turner pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the middle of his trial in June and was sentenced to a 20-year to life prison sentence.

Lowe and Powers were seen near the home at the time of the shooting, but no one could place them inside the home. As a result, they were offered the plea agreement.

Lowe received three years of probation, but Powers failed to show up and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Kane said the plea agreement prohibits him from recommending a sentence for Powers, but he doesn't think it will make much of a difference.

"To my way of thinking, you don't stand much of a chance of getting probation with that judge if you don't show up at your sentencing," Kane said.