News briefs for Nov. 21, 2002

Thursday, Nov. 21, 2002 | 11:12 a.m.

Collision claims woman's life

Henderson Police are investigating an accident that killed an elderly woman about 8:45 a.m. on Wednesday at St. Rose Parkway and Seven Hills Drive.

The woman was traveling east on St. Rose in her 1999 silver Mercury and tried to turn left onto Spencer Street.

A gold 1998 Toyota headed westbound struck the Mercury.

The woman was taken to St. Rose Dominican Hospital-Siena Campus and died shortly after arriving. Her identity has been withheld pending police notifying her family.

Matthew Medina, 24, the driver of the Toyota, was treated and released at the same hospital.

Anyone with information regarding this accident can call the Henderson Police Department's Traffic Bureau at 616-8390 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

Ang can go free on legitimate bond

Former Philippine presidential gambling adviser Charlie "Atong" Ang might go free from a Las Vegas jail by Christmas if he can raise $300,000 bail and demonstrate that it came from legitimate sources.

"He has to present documents to indicate the source of the money," Donald Etra, Ang's lawyer, said Wednesday. Etra said he hopes to have the documentation within the next few weeks.

A court spokeswoman said U.S. Magistrate Lawrence R. Leavitt agreed Friday to release Ang with conditions including electronic home monitoring and the surrender of Ang's passport.

Ang is awaiting an extradition hearing now scheduled for June 24, Etra said.

Ang, 44, was a close friend and adviser to ousted Philippine President Joseph Estrada. He was arrested last November in Las Vegas as a fugitive on a charge of plunder, or the theft of public funds in the Philippines. The charge can carry the death penalty.

More charges made in 'Bumfights' case

Prosecutors brought new charges Tuesday against four men accused of paying the homeless to fight for a videotape, saying the defendants induced some of the brawls by offering beer and doughnuts.

The men were charged with battery, illegal fight promotion and conspiracy in connection with the "Bumfights: A Cause for Concern" videotape sold over the Internet. They were already charged with soliciting an assault with deadly force.

All four entered innocent pleas and said through their attorneys they plan to challenge the charges. Defense lawyers have said much of the action on the tape was staged and contend the charges are vague and legally inadequate.

A note posted on the Bumfights website called the charges "nonsense" and said a sequel is in the works.

The video has sold about 300,000 copies at $20 each, according to police in the San Diego suburb of La Mesa.

New marina will have power soon

The Las Vegas Bay Marina, moved to Horsepower Cove on Lake Mead because the lake's water level is dropping, should have water and power by the end of December, the National Park Service said.

Water and sewer line installation began on Nov. 14 between Hemenway Harbor and Horsepower Cove.

Barriers and signs have been placed around the construction, but the marina's access road remains open.

The speed limit on the road is 15 mph for safety and to prevent dust problems.

Metro officer pleads guilty

A former Metro Police officer on Wednesday pleaded guilty to two felony drug charges in District Court.

Sean Curd, a former police academy training officer, pleaded guilty to one count of drug possession and one count of being under the influence of drugs. Curd appeared before District Judge Donald Mosley. He is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 14.

The guilty plea comes after defense attorneys and prosecutors agreed to recommend a sentence of probation and drug court, Robert Lucherini, Curd's attorney, said.

Under the conditions of the plea agreement, Curd has agreed not to contest his termination from Metro Police and not to seek employment in law enforcement for the rest of his life, Chief Deputy District Attorney Chris Owens, said.

The attorneys will ask that the case be dismissed if Curd completes drug court successfully. It will be up to Mosley to accept or deny the recommendation.

Man enters plea in stabbing death

A 52-year-old homeless man pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Clark County District Court in the murder of "Our Gang" actor J.R. Smith.

Charles Crombie was arraigned before Judge Sally Loehrer, and is scheduled to go to trial on charges of murder and robbery with a deadly weapon and fraudulent use of a credit card on Aug. 11.

According to police reports, a man's partially clad body was found wrapped in a sheet near the Apex exit of Interstate 15 on Oct. 5. An autopsy revealed that the man had been stabbed numerous times in the abdomen.

Twelve days later Smith was reported missing by his stepdaughter, who also told police that a homeless man whom Smith had helped was also missing. Police learned that some of Smith's possessions had been pawned, and that one of his credit cards had been used.

Crombie was arrested at the Palms food court on Oct. 24.

Crash injuries killed motorcyclist

A 64-year-old man found dead Monday in his driveway in North Las Vegas died of injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash, the Clark County coroner's office said this morning.

Howard Davis hit a steel fence on Simmons Street, north of Craig Road, several hours before he was found dead about 6:45 a.m. Davis managed to drive his motorcycle home, then collapsed in his driveway.

The coroner's office said Davis also had heart disease.

Missing man sought by police

Metro Police are asking the public's help in finding Michael Dickey, 24, who has been missing since Oct. 11.

Dickey was last seen at Fourth and Fremont streets. Detective Doug Smith said he was partying with friends, then about 11 p.m., his friends went to a casino and Dickey "went his own way."

He never returned home or to his construction job. His roommate reported him missing Oct. 14.

Smith said he wasn't certain if foul play was involved.

Dickey is described as white, 6-feet-2 and 220 pounds with a muscular build. He has brown hair and eyes. He was last seen wearing a gray long-sleeved shirt, tan pants and black shoes.

Anyone with information on Dickey's whereabouts is asked to call Metro at 229-3111 or the missing persons unit at 229-2907.