Cassidy claims DA is forcing wife to testify

Erica D. Johnson

Thursday, June 5, 2003 | 9:48 a.m.

The former aide to Mayor Oscar Goodman charged with raping his estranged wife and setting fire to her business accused prosecutors on Wednesday of using strong-arm tactics to ensure the woman's testimony against him.

In a status hearing before District Judge Lee Gates, William Lawrence Cassidy, 52, said the state threatened to throw his wife in jail if she did not testify.

In the weeks since his arrest, Cassidy said, prosecutors have even gone to his wife's massage studio under the guise of receiving services to persuade her.

"(They) threaten her with their power," he said. "She has indicated to the defense that she has been threatened by the district attorney with incarceration if she does not testify."

Cassidy, who is representing himself in the case, asked Gates to order an evidentiary hearing or a deposition, in which his wife would testify before the trial.

Prosecutors denied Cassidy's allegations, saying Cassidy was trying to interfere with his wife's testimony.

Deputy District Attorney Conrad Clause said Cassidy's wife fully intends to testify against Cassidy. He said that even if she did not testify, the state still has enough evidence.

"Not all the charges are dependent upon her testimony," Clause said.

Gates said the request for a deposition was premature. He said he would reconsider the motion if the woman were unable to testify at trial.

The hearing marked the beginning of Cassidy's defense against nine felony charges, including sexual assault, first-degree arson and second-degree kidnapping.

After the hearing, in an interview at the Clark County Detention Center, Cassidy said he was pleased that prosecutors aren't looking to file charges against his wife.

He said he only raised the issue as part of an effort to protect her.

"I want her to know I still love her 100 percent," he said.

Gates on Wednesday assigned Johnathan MacArthur, a court-appointed attorney, to help Cassidy with his case.

Authorities claim Cassidy sexually assaulted his wife in February and two days later burned down her massage studio in the 2100 block of South Decatur Boulevard.

Cassidy's wife has since filed for a divorce. During the grand jury proceedings she identified her husband as her attacker.

Cassidy, who had previously said he wished to reconcile with his wife, asked Gates to order a psychiatric evaluation for his wife.

He said she has been under the care of two physicians of Oriental medicine in California for mental illness. His wife moved to Las Vegas from California in 1999, he said.

"Both doctors say she suffers from severe psychiatric disorders," he said.

Gates told Clause to investigate the alleged mental illness. He scheduled a status check hearing for June 11.