Local news briefs for May 23, 2003

Friday, May 23, 2003 | 11:23 a.m.

Jones a candidate for federal judge

U.S. Bankrupcy Judge Robert Clive Jones is expected to be nominated to a U.S. District Court judgeship, pending a backround check, according to aides for Sen . John Ensign R-Nev. Ensign spokesman Jack Finn confirmed today that Jones is ex- pected to be a nominee.

A background check needs to be done, but the White House has identified him as a potential nominee, Finn said.

Ensign was reportedly asked to submit a new list of candi- dates for the job op ening later this year, after Republican leaders questioned Ensign's first list, which included Leif Reid, a Reno lawyer and son of Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev .

Jones would fill the vacancy soon to be left by U.S. District Judge David Hagen of Reno, who plans to assume senior status later this year.

Presidential judicial nominees are subject to Senate confirmation.

High court rules against Lopez

In a 5-2 decision, the Nevada Supreme Court today ordered defense lawyers to turn over to the Clark County district attorney's office two reports on the mental condition of Saul Lopez, accused in the stabbing death of his ex-wife.

Defense lawyers had two psychologists examine Lopez, who was then judged incompetent to stand trial and ordered to the Lake's Crossing mental hospital near Reno for treatment.

The prosecution did not contest the ruling of District Judge Michael Cherry in determining that Lopez was not mentally competent to stand trial. But the state asked for copies of the report.

Cherry ordered the copies be supplied to the district attorney's office. The defense lawyers objected and appealed to the Nevada Supreme Court.

MGM race book evacuated

Hydraulic fluid hitting a hot engine at a construction project in the MGM Grand's basement caused a cloud of black smoke that forced the evacuation of the hotel's race book Thursday.

The incident happened about noon as workers continued to renovate the EFX Theater, which is scheduled to reopen in summer 2004 with a new Cirque du Soleil show, MGM MIRAGE officials said.

Small flames sparked in the fluid, but construction workers quickly put them out, officials said.

The smoke caused about 25 people to be moved from the race book to the sports book, and about 50 construction workers were evacuated from the basement area and theater.

The race book was closed for about 75 minutes, and no one was injured while the smoke was cleared from the theater.

Boy, 13, injured in ATV accident

A 13-year-old boy was critically injured when he crashed an all-terrain vehicle about 8:45 p.m. Thursday near Torrey Pines and Grand Teton drives, Metro Police said.

Stefan Chavez was heading down Horse Drive, an unlit, unpaved road under construction, on a 2001 Polaris ATV when he hit a manhole cover that was raised about a foot off the road. Sewer lines had recently been installed, police said.

Chavez was flown to University Medical Center.

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