News briefs for February 23, 2005

Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2005 | 9:38 a.m.

Jury deliberates murder case

Closing arguments were made Tuesday in the case against 25-year-old Shod Walker, who is accused of killing 39-year-old Simone Hirst by hitting her head with a 44-pound rock.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Robert Daskas focused on the testimony of the main witness, admitted heroine addict David Smith, and what he characterized as absurd explanations from Walker regarding what he said happened to Hirst.

Walker's main defense was that Hirst had fallen three feet out of a window to her death. According to prosecution witnesses, her injuries were as severe as those of a person killed in a motorcycle accident when not wearing a helmet.

Gunman robs Casuarina casino

Authorities are searching for a man who robbed the casino at the Westin Casuarina hotel at gunpoint just after midnight Tuesday.

The suspect walked into the Casuarina at 160 E. Flamingo Road, approached a cage cashier, pulled out a handgun and demanded money, Metro Police Lt. Ted Snodgrass said.

The cashier complied, but the suspect demanded more money so the cashier gave him what cash was left in the drawer. The robber then ran out of the building into the parking lot, police said.

Police described the suspect as a light-skinned black man between 25 and 35, standing about 5 feet 8 inches and 160 pounds. He was last seen wearing black dress pants and black dress shoes.