July 22 execution set for Reno killer Dennis

Thursday, July 8, 2004 | 11:06 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The execution of a Reno killer who has waived any more court appeals has been set for July 22 at the Nevada State Prison in Carson City, the state Department of Corrections said today.

Department Director Jackie Crawford said Terry Dennis has refused requests from the news media for interviews.

The execution, which was set for 9 p.m., would be the second this year. Lawrence Coldwell was put to death March 26 for the murder of Frank Rosenstock, a tourist in Las Vegas.

Dennis was convicted of the 1999 strangulation of Ilona Straumanis in Washoe County. He pleaded guilty and a three-judge panel sentenced him to death. He has said previously he does not want to become a "doddering old man" in prison and has abandoned his appeals.

The setting of the execution date comes after Chief U.S. District Judge Philip Pro Tuesday denied an effort by attorney Karla Butko to show that Dennis was mentally incompetent to make the decision.

Pro said Butko "is truly dedicated to Dennis' best interest" but added she presented no evidence to show things have changed since the two state courts have made their findings that Dennis wanted to go through with the execution.

Fritz Schlottman, a spokesman for the of Corrections Department, said Dennis met with prison officials this week and he is calm. "He's not very talkative," said Schlottman.