News briefs for January 21, 2005

Friday, Jan. 21, 2005 | 9:57 a.m.

Explosion levels mountain home

A man escaped his four-bedroom home in Rainbow Canyon near Mount Charleston late Thursday when an explosion and fire leveled the house shortly before 11 p.m.

Volunteer firefighters from Mount Charleston responded to the Rainbow Canyon subdivision in Kyle Canyon after neighbors reported hearing a loud explosion.

The man told firefighters the home's propane tank had been filled Thursday afternoon. He said he struck a match to light the fireplace when he got home.

Clark County Fire Department units also responded to the incident. The roads in Rainbow Canyon were icy at the time.

Nightclub guards face no charges

No charges will be filed against security guards at the Las Vegas Strip nightclub Krave who allegedly restrained a combative man who later died, authorities said.

The Clark County district attorney's office determined there was insufficient evidence to file any criminal charges in connection with the death of 26-year-old Peter James Lawrence, Metro Homicide Sgt. Ken Hefner said this morning.

A medical examiner ruled that Lawrence died as a result of asphyxia due to neck compression and that the death was a homicide.

Lawrence allegedly caused a disturbance at the club, located on Las Vegas Boulevard at Harmon Avenue, on Nov. 14 while looking for an ex-girlfriend, who had a protective order against him. He allegedly struggled with several security guards then was pronounced dead at University Medical Center.

Not-guilty plea entered in killing

A 28-year-old man pleaded not guilty on Thursday to charges that he tied up a 16-year-old girl and shot her 20-year-old boyfriend in the head on Dec. 15 in eastern Las Vegas.

Josh Ackerman is scheduled to stand trial on June 13 before District Judge Joe Bonaventure for the murder of Christopher Lee Nelson

Nelson was found dead by police after they were called to the 5600 block of Sammis Avenue near East Charleston Boulevard and Linn Lane at 5 p.m.

A 16-year-old girl had called 911 and said she had been tied up at a house and her boyfriend had been shot, police said.

Police said witnesses identified Ackerman as the gunman and patrol officers found Ackerman not far from the shooting, near Stewart Avenue at Nellis Boulevard.