News briefs for July 27, 2005

Wednesday, July 27, 2005 | 11:04 a.m.

Court rules against casino

An overflowing toilet is going to cost the Imperial Palace an estimated $105,000.

The Nevada Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a jury verdict in favor of William Gaud, who slipped in a puddle of water and broke his ankle in the main casino restroom at the resort Jan. 24, 2000.

Imperial Palace, through its legal counsel, sought a new trial on grounds there were errors made at the trial before District Judge Stewart Bell.

The case originally went to arbitration, and Gaud was awarded $32,593. The hotel then asked for a jury trial that resulted in the 2003 award that included interest and costs.

An overflowing toilet caused the water on the floor. Imperial Palace maintained the toilet overflowed only seconds before Gaud entered the restroom and it did not have adequate time to remedy the situation. But Gaud and his wife, Winifred, said there was no indication how long the toilet was overflowing before Gaud stepped into the water.

Death row inmate appeal rejected

The Nevada Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the appeal of death row inmate Kelly E. Rhyne, who claimed his attorney was incompetent at the trial in 2000 in Elko.

Rhyne was convicted of the fatal beating of Donald "Lobo" Brown in Elko in October 1998. He maintained he should have had additional mental health competency hearings before and during the trial because of doubts about his mental health.

The Supreme Court said there was ample evidence to support District Judge Michael Memeo's finding that Rhyne was legally competent to stand trial.

Justice Bob Rose agreed with the denial of the writ but said he feels the death penalty was excessive in this case.

The Supreme Court turned down his initial appeal in 2002.

Nellis a base for coalition training

About 600 U.S. and coalition airmen from 10 different countries have been gathered at Nellis Air Force Base since July 21 in a joint coalition exercise designed to give them hands-on training in operational command.

The Air Combat Command exercise is called Blue Flag 05-2 and is sponsored by ACC's Ninth Air Force. The Ninth Air Force is responsible for air operations in the Middle East and have included their coalition partners from the region in the exercise.

About 80 coalition members are involved in the exercise from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

Police searching for suspect

Metro Police are searching for a 21-year-old man wanted in the killing of a rap partner at a recording studio last week.

Police issued a warrant for the arrest of Amon Naquito Ball, also known as "Loc," in connection with the fatal shooting of Keith R. Jett, 28, on July 21 at Salgood Studios in the 4400 block of West Hacienda Avenue.

The pair got involved in an argument at the studio which resulted in Jett's death, police said.

Anyone with information on Ball's whereabouts is asked to call police at 229-3521 or Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.