Court sets biker trial hearing

Monday, Aug. 22, 2005 | 11:06 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court today set Nov. 17 for a pre-trial appeal hearing regarding the validity of the indictment charging members of the Hells Angels and the rival motorcycle gang the Mongols with murder in a melee in Laughlin in 2002.

The court said it has determined that all the judges of the state's highest court, rather than the usual three-judge panel, should hear the case. And it canceled a previous hearing set for Oct. 12. Each side will have 45 minutes to present its case.

Members of the Hells Angels were scheduled to go on trial earlier this summer in Las Vegas. But the court vacated that trial date and decided to examine whether the charges in 73-count grand jury indictment were too confusing or contradicted each other.

Each of 12 members of the motorcycle clubs are charged with murder in the deaths of two Hells Angels and one Mongol in a at Harrah's on April 27 2002. Each of the 12 is also charged with battery, assault, conspiracy and aiding and abetting.

The shooting and stabbing resulted in the deaths of Hells Angels members Robert E. Tumelty, 50 and Jeramie D. Bell, 27 and Mongol Anthony S. Barrera, 43.

Members of the Mongol group are scheduled to go on trial next year.

archive