Man appears in court in child’s death

Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2004 | 10:58 a.m.

A Sept. 22 preliminary hearing has been set in North Las Vegas Justice Court for a 21-year-old man accused of killing his girlfriend's 15-month old son.

Wayne Jackson, wearing North Las Vegas Detention Center-issued khakis, appeared this morning before North Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Natalie Tyrrell during what turned out to be a one-minute arraignment, where a 9:30 a.m. time was set for the preliminary hearing date.

Clark County Deputy Public Defender Robert Amundson, Jackson's attorney, said after the hearing that issues such as potential bail may be addressed at the preliminary hearing. A plea was not entered today.

Jackson was arrested Aug. 21 following the Aug. 20 death of Quin'Tavion Wells. Jackson is charged with murder by child abuse.

Officer Tim Bedwell, North Las Vegas Police spokesman, said the cause of death was blunt trauma to the baby's head. However, police are declining to release further details. An arrest report has not been made available.

Officers were called to the house that Jackson shared with the mother of the child in the 3100 block of Plumwood Lane near Cheyenne Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard shortly before 8 p.m. on Aug. 20. Police have not released the mother's name. Police say no other children reside in the home.

A medical examine determined the child's death was a homicide.

Jackson has prior convictions for attempted burglary and attempted possession of a stolen vehicle. He was wanted on an outstanding felony warrant for a probation violation at the time of his arrest, police said.