News briefs for Oct. 3, 2002

Thursday, Oct. 3, 2002 | 11:25 a.m.

Six-vehicle crash ties up U.S. 95

Four people were taken to University Medical Center with minor injuries after a six-vehicle crash shortly before 9 a.m. today on U.S. 95 near Rancho Drive, the Las Vegas Fire Department said.

The crash backed up the freeway, with only the far left lane open.

A hospital spokesman said a 46-year-old woman, a 49-year-old man, a 50-year-old woman and a 2-year-old boy were admitted in good condition.

Commission asks for new sign law

Clark County commissioners on Wednesday asked county planning staff to write a new ordinance governing the distance between billboards.

The issue of how many billboards and how close they can be along major highways, particularly the Las Vegas Beltway, has divided the commission for months. Commissioners directed staff to write a new ordinance that would specify 1,500-foot separations between billboards, tripling the 500 feet now required.

Staff has consistently warned that too many billboards along the beltway would cause visual blight.

Fugitive waives extradition in LV

A fugitive in a Philadelphia double murder case waived extradition Wednesday following his arrest in Southern Nevada.

James Klein, 23, had no lawyer and said nothing about his case as he stood shackled before Las Vegas Justice Court Judge William Jansen.

Klein confirmed that he voluntarily signed documents not to oppose being turned over to Pennsylvania authorities.

He was returned to the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas to await transfer to Pennsylvania on two homicide warrants.

Klein was arrested Saturday outside a Henderson home that the U.S. marshal in New Jersey connected to the rap group Wu-Tang Clan.

Klein had been sought in the March execution-style murders of Dannie Jones, 26, and Dwight Jenkins, 25, both of Pemberton Township, N.J.

Trial date set for man, 84

A Nov. 21 trial date has been scheduled for an 84-year-old man who suffered broken ribs during an altercation with Henderson Police in July.

Deputy City Attorney Dave Mincavage said Charles Walker pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor charges of obstructing a police officer, resisting arrest and parking in an intersection in Henderson Municipal Court Wednesday.

According to police reports, an officer saw Walker's car parked in the middle of Army and Market streets July 21 and asked Walker to remain in the car.

Police allege Walker refused and began yelling at the officer.

The police reports indicate Walker headed toward his own car and started to reach inside the car as the officer was yelling for him to stop.

When the officer tried to handcuff Walker, police allege, Walker pulled away. Police say the officer then forced Walker to the ground and Walker continued to resist.

Once at Henderson jail, it was determined Walker was injured and he was taken to the hospital.

According to his attorney, Walker suffered five broken ribs, a fractured hip, a sprained wrist and bruises.