Attorney rethinks defense after death penalty notice

Erica D. Johnson

Monday, June 2, 2003 | 11:17 a.m.

The defense attorney representing the local R&B singer charged in a triple shooting said this morning he may have to rethink his strategy in light of the state's decision last week to seek the death penalty against his client.

District Attorney David Roger's announcement last week that Alfonso "Slinkey" Blake could face execution makes defending the case much more serious, Pete Christiansen said.

"The state's notice of intent obviously increases the potential outcome of this case," he said.

Blake faces two counts of murder with a deadly weapon in the shooting that killed Sophear Choy, 19, and Priscilla Van Dine, 22.

He also faces one count of attempted murder with use of a deadly weapon in the shooting of Kim Choy, 23, in the head and hands.

In a hearing June 9, Loehrer will appoint a second private attorney or public defender to help with Blake's defense. All defendants who face the death penalty are entitled to two attorneys.

During Blake's arraignment this morning before District Judge Sally Loehrer, a soft-spoken Blake pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Christiansen, who called his client mild-mannered, said Blake has been polite and cooperative thus far.

"The allegations don't fit the personality from what I've seen," he said.

But prosecutors Robert Daskas and Christopher Lalli hope to paint for jurors a different picture of Blake.

Authorities allege Blake shot the women execution-style in a desert area in southwest Las Vegas as the four were moving furniture from Blake's home. Blake fled following the incident.

Christiansen said the notice to seek death also means he must begin thinking about the penalty phase of the case that would come if Blake were convicted.