State revokes parole for contract killer in 1974 case

Friday, Feb. 18, 2005 | 9:20 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- A contract killer from Las Vegas, paroled at least six times, can't seem to make it in society.

The state Parole Board Thursday revoked the parole of Gerald Weakland, sending him back to prison at least until February 2008.

Weakland was hired by Frank LaPena to murder Hilda Krause, the wife of a Caesars Palace executive. Her throat was slit and her husband, Marvin, was beaten in their home in January 1974.

Weakland, now 57, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, testified for the state and received a life term.

He was released on his latest parole in January 2003. But David Smith, a spokesman for the board, said Weakland was returned to prison based on a misdemeanor conviction in Sparks.

Smith said Weakland also violated the rules of supervision, did not pay his supervision fees and did not cooperate with officers.

LaPena originally received a sentence of life without the possibility of parole. The state Pardons Board reduced that to allow for parole. He applied for parole in April last year but was denied. He has served a total of 24 years.

LaPena's girlfriend, Rosalie Maxwell, worked at Caesars Palace and was dating Marvin Krause, who was a slots manager. The plot was to kill Hilda Krause so Maxwell could marry Krause. She would then inherit his fortune for herself and LaPena.

Weakland will be able to go before the Parole Board in November 2007.