News briefs for May 19, 2003

Monday, May 19, 2003 | 11:10 a.m.

Henderson couple stabbed in home

Henderson Police arrested an 18-year-old man on charges of attacking his mother and stepfather with a knife in their home early Sunday.

James Donald and his friend Christopher Robinson, 18, were being held in the Henderson Detention Center on charges of attempted murder and conspiracy in connection with the stabbings of Karla and Randy Norris, Officer Shane Lewis said.

The motive for the stabbings was not clear, and investigators also were not sure whether the incident was a surprise attack or was preceded by an argument.

The attack occurred about 2:45 a.m. in the Norrises' home in the 700 block of Asbury Park Lane, near Boulder Highway and Lake Mead Parkway.

Randy Norris was stabbed in the face and eye, and Karla Norris' arm was slashed. They are being treated at University Medical Center.

Donald and Robinson were arrested Sunday afternoon.

Woman killed in collision

Metro Police are investigating an accident in which a 26-year-old driver was killed Saturday morning.

The woman killed in the two-car accident about 6:15 a.m. at Rainbow Boulevard and Vegas Drive was identified today by the Clark County coroner's office as Brandi Anderson of Las Vegas.

Police said Anderson was driving a sport utility vehicle west on Vegas Drive, preparing to make a left turn onto southbound Rainbow. A 1995 Pontiac Bonneville driven by Willie Wiltz, 40, was traveling east on Vegas toward the intersection. Both vehicles had green traffic signals, police said. The SUV turned into the path of Wiltz's car. Wiltz braked, unsuccessfully trying to avoid the SUV.

Anderson, who was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the SUV in the collision, officers said.

Both drivers were taken to University Medical Center, where Anderson died, police said. Wiltz suffered moderate injuries, police said.

Man slain not far from standoff

Metro Police are asking for the public's help after finding a body inside an apartment not far from the site of a five-hour standoff with a SWAT team Friday.

Metro homicide detectives were called to the 100 block of George Street about midnight Friday after the body of Charles Mitchell Jr., 32, was discovered in an apartment.

The body was found after officers discovered a large amount of blood on the sidewalk outside the residence, Lt. Tom Monahan said. The man apparently died of gunshot wounds, police said.

Police said they are uncertain if the murder victim is connected to the standoff.

Anyone with information is urged to call CrimeStoppers at 385-5555 or the Homicide Section at 229-3521.

Teacher-student sex case closed

Tanya Hadden, the former high school teacher who pleaded guilty to having sex with her 15-year-old student, said she is ready to prepare for a new life without the boy she thought she loved.

"I really thought I loved (him)," Hadden told the Press-Enterprise of Riverside Sunday during an interview at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. "But I really want to marry someone my own age. I want to have a baby."

Hadden, 34, pleaded guilty Friday to two felony counts of lewd acts with a child, four felony counts of unlawful sexual intercourse, two misdemeanor counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and a misdemeanor count of child-stealing.

She agreed to a sentence of two years in state prison. With credit for some of the time she has served and for good behavior, Hadden could be freed on parole within a year. Her formal sentencing, scheduled for next month, effectively closes the case.

"I wasn't going to do any better," Hadden said. "Not with all the publicity."

The teen, a former student in Hadden's biology class at San Bernardino's Cajon High School, will still be a minor when she is released from prison.