Plea agreement rejected in killing of two teens

Friday, Jan. 3, 2003 | 9:47 a.m.

The case against one of three Las Vegas men charged in the killing of two teenagers in April appears headed to trial after the defendant chose not to accept a plea agreement, attorneys on the case said Thursday.

Last week Eduvijes Pena was considering a plea agreement that would reduce the maximum penalty he faces from life without parole to 10 years in prison, his attorney Robert Draskovich said.

Pena was in court Thursday to possibly change his plea and take the agreement, but instead District Judge Michael Douglas was told there was no agreement.

The case is scheduled for a jury trial on Jan. 21, Chief Deputy District Attorney Ed Kane said.

Pena, Manuel Horta and Nicolas Felix all face charges of murder, kidnapping and conspiracy to commit murder and/or kidnapping for the deaths of Cleofas Martinez and Julio Cano.

Martinez and Cano were found bound on April 22 near Craig Road and Lamb Boulevard.

An autopsy revealed the men died as a result of asphyxiation.

According to police reports, Pena told police the victims were kidnapped and killed as a result of a double-crossing in a drug deal.

Pena and Horta face life sentences without the possibility of parole if convicted.

Felix faces the death penalty, Kane said.