Death prompts no new charges

Erica D. Johnson

Wednesday, March 26, 2003 | 9:15 a.m.

Prosecutors have decided not to press additional charges against Anthony Dotson in connection with the death of a 90-year-old Las Vegas woman.

Dotson was charged with beating Kathryn Waldman three years ago, but Chief Deputy District Attorney David Schwartz on Tuesday said prosecutors could not link Dotson's alleged December 1999 beating of Waldman to the woman's death last week.

Dotson, 44, goes to trial next week on murder charges stemming from the beating death of another elderly woman, 79-year-old Doris Bair. Waldman was expected to testify during that trial.

Prosecutors had initially questioned whether the injuries Waldman suffered could have indirectly contributed to her death.

But after looking into the matter further, it appears Waldman died of natural causes, Chief Deputy District Attorney David Schwartz said.

"We may have a gut feeling that the beating could have been a contributing factor, but there is not a direct connection," he said.

Deputy Special Public Defender Daren Richards was pleased with the state's decision.

"Obviously the fact that other charges won't be filed is a good thing for my client," he said. "But our hearts go out to the Waldman family. It's up to the state to make any further decisions and we'll act accordingly."

Authorities allege that Dotson carjacked Waldman's Volvo in a University Medical Center parking lot, where she worked as a volunteer in the children's clinic.

At the time, police had been looking for Dotson in connection with Bair's slaying, which had occurred five days before the Waldman carjacking.

Waldman underwent brain surgery after hitting her head on the pavement during the incident and she also had heart problems, Schwartz said.

Dotson in June pleaded guilty to multiple counts relating to both incidents. But a new trial was ordered after the three-judge panel that was to determine his sentence was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The court ruled that jurors, not judges, must determine the aggravating and mitigating circumstances in death penalty cases.