Girlfriend testifies in case of beaten ex-Air Force major

Tuesday, July 20, 2004 | 9:27 a.m.

The girlfriend of a 37-year-old ex-con accused of beating a retired Air Force major to death couldn't seem to remember the same information she shared with authorities just a few weeks ago as she testified at his preliminary hearing on Monday.

Sebrina Lewis had previously told authorities Raymond Garrett told her about his involvement in the slaying of 51-year-old Michael Born, but on the witness stand Monday she said only that she didn't remember.

Garrett is facing charges of murder, two counts of battery, five counts of robbery and one count of conspiracy to murder.

Prosecutors asked her if she was being intimidated by Garrett's family, which she repeatedly denied.

Garrett's preliminary hearing is scheduled to continue before Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Douglas Smith in August.

Garrett is currently being held without bail due the danger he perceived Garrett presents to society.

Garrett was initially arrest on June 11 on charges of robbery, battery and being a felon in possession of a gun. Garrett was released two days later after paying $16,000 bond, even though he was had been charged with felonies in a similar robbery in February and had served 15 years in prison for a 1990 robbery conviction.

The attack on Born in the parking lot of a Wal-Mart store at Stewart Avenue and Nellis Boulevard June 2, which put him into a coma, was captured on surveillance videotape, which police said helped them identify Garrett.

Born, a retired Air Force major and father of a young daughter, died June 15 at University Medical Center after being on life support for more than two weeks. Police obtained a murder warrant and began searching for Garrett.

Garrett was taken into custody on June 30.