Killer’s attack on prosecutor will go before grand jury

Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003 | 11:21 a.m.

A convicted killer's courtroom attack on a Clark County prosecutor will be the subject of a grand jury hearing.

Taiwan Allen was supposed to have his preliminary court hearing on a battery charge today, but the hearing was rescheduled for Jan. 14 after his defense was turned over to the Clark County public defender's office.

The district attorney's office also informed Allen during his appearance in Las Vegas Justice Court this morning that the case will be taken to a grand jury.

Attorney Ozzie Fumo, who was in Las Vegas Justice Court Wednesday on behalf of Allen's attorney, Rick Santacroce, said the public defender's office will handle the case because Santacroce is a potential witness in the case and therefore cannot represent Allen in this matter.

Allen, 29, was convicted on Dec. 15 of first-degree murder for the April slaying of his live-in girlfriend, 30-year-old Yashoma Clemons. Moments after the verdict was read, Allen lunged at Deputy District Attorney David Stanton in the courtroom and punched the prosecutor in the back of the head.

Stanton was taken by ambulance to University Medical Center, where he was treated and released. He has since returned to work.

Two days later a jury sentenced Allen to life without parole for the murder conviction.

Allen remained quiet during today's appearance before Justice of the Peace William Jansen.