Bail set for ‘Destroyer’ in November killing

Tuesday, March 22, 2005 | 9:21 a.m.

A former star of pro basketball in the Phillipines pleaded not guilty on Monday in the killing of his ex-wife's new husband and may now be able to post bail.

Rudy "The Destroyer" Distrito is scheduled to stand trial before District Judge David Wall in the stabbing of 24-year-old Juan Amaya at an apartment in the 4800 block of Deckow Lane on Nov. 24.

Distrito previously was being held without bail, but Wall on Monday set bail at $500,000.

Distrito's attorney, Deputy Public Defender Susan Burke, said Distrito had no previous criminal history and perhaps more importantly no passport as she successfully argued Distrito was not a flight risk.

Co-counsel Robert Langford said although Distrito had been living in California there was a "strong Filipino community in Las Vegas and housing, employment and all his daily necessities would be supplied."

Prosecutors, however, argued against the bail setting, saying Distrito was a man who threatened he would kill his ex-wife if she married Amaya. They contend Amaya's marriage to Distrito's ex-wife "triggered the murder."

Distrito contends he was acting in self-defense the night of the killing.

Police allege Distrito got into an argument with Amaya around 7:30 p.m. at the Deckow Apartments near Tropicana and Koval.

When officers arrived on the scene, they discovered Amaya stabbed multiple times. He was taken to a hospital, but didn't survive his injuries.

Distrito fled to California but surrendered to FBI agents, who turned him over to Los Angeles Police. Distrito was then extradited to Las Vegas.

Distrito earned the nickname "The Destroyer" for his hardnosed play during a 15-year career in the Philippine Basketball Association. He was suspended in 1995, his final season, for a flagrant foul against an opponent.