Man gets 56 months for slaying

Erica Johnson

Friday, Feb. 21, 2003 | 9:06 a.m.

A 21-year-old man charged in a shooting at an apartment complex that left a North Las Vegas man dead will spend at least 56 months in prison.

William Kevin Smith was sentenced Thursday in District Court after pleading guilty last month to voluntary manslaughter and assault with a deadly weapon charges in the July 2002 shooting death of Timothy Clough, 24.

As part of a plea agreement, District Judge Donald Mosley sentenced Smith to a minimum of 56 months and a maximum of 20 years in prison.

In exchange for the guilty plea, prosecutors dropped a first-degree murder charge against Smith, allowing him to avoid a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Police say the incident occurred at an apartment complex in the 3600 block of North Rancho Drive near Craig Road following an altercation between Smith, the victim and several other men.

Deputy Public Defender Scott Coffee said Smith tried to prevent Clough from entering the apartment because of an altercation that had occurred earlier. Clough forced his way in, after which Smith retrieved a loaded shotgun and the shooting occurred, police said.

Family members of Clough said Smith's sentence wasn't harsh enough.

"I still live in shock," said Marilee Clough, the victim's mother. "I still look for him in a crowd. I have to remind myself every day that my son is dead."