Ex-judge candidate arrested for battery

Jen Lawson

Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2005 | 8:37 a.m.

A criminal defense attorney who ran for election in several judge races using the motto "Stanford Smart, NFL Tough" was arrested for allegedly choking and striking his roommate last month, according to Metro Police records.

Tony Liker, 40, was booked into the Clark County Detention Center after the incident Jan. 22.

In addition to his defense work, Liker also works as an extern -- a volunteer who helps prepare cases -- for Family Court Judge Steven Jones, a court spokesman said.

According to the police report, Liker and the victim, a man listed as Liker's cohabitant, went to a house the night of Jan. 21 to babysit two children, ages 10 and 14. The genders of the children are not indicated in the police report and Metro spokesman Chris Jones said he was unable to clarify that information.

Liker left the home around 10 p.m., leaving the victim to babysit. He returned about 7 a.m. the next morning and found the victim "in the bedroom with the 14-year-old kid," the arrest report says.

The report does not indicate that there was any allegation that the roommate had molested the teen, and Metro Police were not investigating the roommate's alleged actions regarding the teen, Jones said Tuesday.

Liker allegedly pushed his roommate to the floor, put a hand around his neck and struck him in his left eye, according to the police report.

The roommate went to a 7-Eleven at Buffalo Drive and Charleston Boulevard and called 911.

"Victim was nervous, fearful, irrational and in pain with cuts, scratches and red marks to his facial area and neck," the officer noted in his report.

The officer went to the house where Liker and the victim lived to get a statement from Liker.

"He said he did not want to answer any questions," the officer noted in his report. Liker was arrested and charged with domestic battery.

Liker ran in a failed bid for Las Vegas Municipal Court judge in 1999 and had campaign signs touting himself as "NFL Tough, Stanford Smart." He was a seventh-round draftee for the Green Bay Packers for 1987 and played defensive tackle.

He attended Stanford University for two years as an undergraduate and earned his law degree at the University of Oregon School of Law.

In 2000 Liker ran for election in the Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Department 8 but lost. He also ran for the District Court Department 18 in 2002 but later withdrew.

Last year Attorney General Brian Sandoval filed a suit against Liker and several others who didn't file financial campaign reports in connection with the 2002 election.

The State Bar of Nevada confirmed Tuesday that Liker's license to practice law is active.

A District Court spokesman said Liker occasionally does extern work for Jones. Externs are typically law students.