Bullets in suspect called key evidence

Erica D. Johnson

Tuesday, May 27, 2003 | 10:02 a.m.

An attorney representing the man accused of killing a Las Vegas mother and leaving her body in the house with her four children told a judge this morning that his client needs surgery to remove bullets he sustained during the shooting.

Defense attorney Frederick Santacroce said Taiwan Allen, 29, has one bullet in the back of his head and another in his left side, which resulted from the April shooting that left his live-in girlfriend, Yashama Clemons, 31, dead.

Santacroce asked Las Vegas Justice of the Peace William Jansen to order a state physician to surgically remove the bullets.

He said the bullets represent exculpatory evidence that could be used in the case.

Once the bullets are removed, Santacroce said, he plans to have ballistic tests done on them to determine if they match the bullets found inside Clemons.

"Not only are these bullets threatening Allen's health, but there is evidence that this is very important to this case," he said.

But Chief Deputy District Attorney Vickie Monroe argued that it was not the state's responsibility to arrange or pay for the surgery.

"We're opposed to it," she said. "This man was on the run for about a month. It's obviously not life threatening."

Allen pleaded not guilty to a single count of murder with a deadly weapon when he was arraigned last week.

Police say the slaying occurred at the home in the 6700 block of Tiffolo Lane near Hollywood Boulevard and Carey Avenue.

Clemons' four children, ages 15 months to 9 years old, were in the house when their mother was shot and they were alone with the body for several days after the shooting, police said.

Jansen ordered Santacroce to hire a physician to examine Allen at the Clark County Detention Center, where he is being held, and determine if his condition is life threatening.

A preliminary hearing in the case is set for June 6.

"This motion will hinge on the report of the doctor," Jansen said.

Outside court, Santacroce declined to further comment on the bullets' significance.

"I don't want to go into my defense at this time," he said. "You can draw any inferences that you want."