News briefs for March 7, 2003

Friday, March 7, 2003 | 11:16 a.m.

Motorcyclists find body off Route 159

Two motorcyclists driving on State Route 159 near the town of Blue Diamond, about 15 miles southwest of Las Vegas, discovered the remains of a human body near the highway.

The road was shut down for three hours Thursday after the body was found about 12:30 p.m.

The race, age and gender of the dead person were unknown and Metro Police homicide detectives are investigating the case as a homicide, Lt. Tom Monahan said.

Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 385-5555 or Metro's Homicide Division at 229-3521.

Decision delayed on state health

The state Public Employees Program Board Thursday delayed a decision for a week on restructuring the health insurance programs that covers state employees, their dependents and retirees.

Forrest "Woody" Thorne, executive director of the system, initially presented two options to the board, cutting benefits and raising premiums to avoid an expected $20.5 million deficit.

But those two plans ran into opposition from employees and board members. Thorne delivered a third option Thursday that keeps most of the existing coverage but charging every member an additional $14.36 a month.

Under the third option, the annual deductible would rise from the present $250 a year to $500. A person who now pays $15 to a primary care physician would pay $20. A visit to a specialist would cost $30 as opposed to the present $20.

Lawsuit filed over 'Bumfights'

A homeless man seen fighting a woman in the controversial "Bumfights" video is suing the filmmakers for allegedly violating his privacy.

Peter LaForte says he never gave the filmmakers permission to videotape him fighting the 275-pound woman, known as "Porkchop," in a public restroom at San Diego's Ocean Beach in 2001.

The explosive brawl that ensued is the first scene on the videotape, "Bumfights: A Cause for Concern," which was sold over the Internet for $20 a copy.

LaForte's lawsuit, filed Tuesday in San Diego Superior Court, said the homeless man suffered "constant shame, embarrassment and humiliation" as a result of the video. LaForte, 31, said the filmmakers paid the woman to fight him and that he tried to decline before she attacked him.

The film, promoted by radio shock jock Howard Stern and denounced on the floor of the House of Representatives, has sold more than 300,000 copies.

In January, Superior Court Judge Larrie Brainard dismissed felony battery and soliciting charges against filmmakers Ryan McPherson, 19; Zachary Bubeck, 25; Daniel J. Tanner, 21; and Michael Slyman, 21, ruling there was insufficient evidence to prosecute them.

Traffic lights at Lake Mead Parkway

and U.S. 95 in Henderson will be out 9 p.m. Sunday until 6 a.m. Monday and 9 p.m. Monday until 6 a.m. Tuesday while a gas line near the intersection is relocated.