Las Vegas court news briefs for July 18, 2003

Friday, July 18, 2003 | 9:28 a.m.

Slaying suspect's probation revoked

A 21-year-old man facing charges in the slaying of a former University of Nevada, Las Vegas, student had his probation from a previous offense revoked Thursday.

Jeremy Crozier faces the death penalty if convicted in the death of 24-year-old college student Rie Shibuya. Because of the serious nature of those charges, District Judge Donald Mosely revoked his probation on a grand larceny conviction he picked up in February 2002.

Crozier was arrested last month after police found Shibuya's body in her apartment two weeks after she had apparently been strangled to death.

Bail denied for teen suspect

A judge denied bail Thursday to Mark Michael Ford, the 15-year-old accused of slipping into a man's house and stabbing him to death, but there is still doubt over whether he will be moved to a juvenile facility.

Ford is being detained at the Clark County Detention Center while he awaits trial. Defense attorneys wanted Ford moved to a juvenile facility for his own protection, but prosecutors argued that he is just as safe at the detention center as he would be at the juvenile facility.

"It was argued that criminal conduct was escalating in regards to violent acts and culminated in the murder of a man," said Jim Sweetin, chief deputy district attorney. "He certainly remains protected at the CCDC just as he can be protected at the juvenile detention center."

The decision to move Ford was delayed until July 29 after lawyers research whether or not Las Vegas Justice Court has the authority to take such action.

Ford was charged in February in the stabbing death of Vincent Gomes, 56.

Police allege Ford broke into Gomes' home to burglarize it and stabbed him in the neck after discovering he was home. Police said Ford fled the scene on a motor scooter and was arrested at his home several miles away.

Ford's trial is set for Oct. 13.