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November 9, 2009

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Trial delayed in cabdriver’s death

By Matt Pordum (contact)

Monday, Jan. 24, 2005 | 9:33 a.m.

A 33-year-old man accused of killing a cabdriver by setting him on fire during a robbery will face the death penalty, but won't stand trial until September.

After meeting with prosecutors and James Scholl's attorneys in chambers on Friday morning, District Judge Jennifer Togliatti scheduled what is expected to be a three-week trial for Scholl for Sept. 12.

Togliatti said the trial date was set so far ahead because of conflicting schedules and because Special Public Defender Alzora Jackson had requested additional time to investigate and prepare for the case.

Scholl has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, robbery, burglary, kidnapping, mayhem and third-degree arson in connection with the Aug. 20 attack on 51-year-old Pairoj Chitprasart, a Nellis Cab driver.

The district attorney's office is seeking the death penalty against Scholl, who waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Sept. 13, 2004. He continues to be held in the Clark County Detention Center without bail.

Police arrested Scholl on Aug. 21 after he bragged to a friend that he had set a cabbie on fire because he refused to hand over his money, according to police records. Scholl also allegedly had bragged in the past about robbing cabdrivers and threatening to douse them with gasoline if they didn't give him money, the police report says.

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