Court briefs for July 31, 2003

Thursday, July 31, 2003 | 9:50 a.m.

LV man pleads guilty in robbery

The Las Vegas man who faced charges stemming from a June 2000 Bellagio robbery that netted about $175,000 pleaded guilty Wednesday to a single count of robbery in the case.

Luis Suarez, 38, faces a two- to 15-year prison sentence when he is sentenced before District Judge Kathy Hardcastle on Sept. 17, defense attorney Pete Christiansen said. Suarez is also eligible for probation.

In exchange for his guilty plea prosecutors dropped multiple felony counts, including burglary and firearm charges, prosecutor Roger Cram said.

The plea came days before Suarez was scheduled to stand trial in the case.

Jurors are still deliberating the fate of Pedro Duarte, one of Suarez's alleged accomplices, who faces charges in a similar heist at the Desert Inn. Jurors began deliberating Tuesday and were expected to continue deliberations today.

Jose Vigoa, the man prosecutors say was the ringleader in those robberies and another robbery at the Henderson Ross Dress for Less store, in which two armored guards were killed, is serving a life prison sentence for multiple felony convictions stemming from the incidents.

Not guilty plea made in murder case

A man suspected of killing a mother of four and leaving her body in the house with her young children pleaded not guilty to murder charges Wednesday in District Court.

Taiwan Allen, 29, faces a single count of murder with use of a deadly weapon in the April shooting that left his live-in girlfriend, Yashama Clemons, 31, dead.

Allen is being held at the Clark County Detention Center without bail, Chief Deputy District Attorney Vickie Monroe said. His trial is scheduled for Sept. 29 before District Judge Donald Mosley.

The shooting occurred at the couple's home in the 6700 block of Tiffolo Lane near Hollywood Boulevard and Carey Avenue. Defense attorneys allege that a gunfight ensued and Allen was shot in the back of his head and his left side.

Clemons' four children, ages 15 months to 9 years old, were in the house when their mother was shot and they were alone with the body for several days after the shooting, police said.