News briefs for March 22, 2005

Tuesday, March 22, 2005 | 9:39 a.m.

Woman held without bail

A certified personal care aide accused of killing her quadriplegic ex-husband by drowning him in the bathtub will continue to he held without bail pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 11, Justice of the Peace Joe Bonaventure ruled this morning.

Twenty-five-year-old Gloria Guzman was arrested on March 11 after she allegedly admitted to detectives that she intentionally drowned 40-year-old Mark Richards on Feb. 26.

She was angry with Richard because he planned to to move into his own assisted living apartment, and that move would have deprived her of the income she received for taking care of him, according to the police report.

Deputy District Attorney Ravi Bawa said Guzman is being held in custody at the Clark County Detention Center on no bail.

Bawa said an initial background check on Guzman shows no criminal history, but stressed the investigation was still in the early stages. He would not comment on whether or not the district attorney's office would seek the death penalty for Guzman.

Guzman's attorney, Steve Karen, would not comment on the case or Guzman's mental status.

Police probe apparent homicide

Metro Police this morning were investigating an apparent homicide near downtown Las Vegas.

A passerby found the body of a dead man lying in the road near 7th Street and Mesquite Avenue about 3:45 this morning, Lt. Tom Monahan of Metro's homicide section said.

Police found that the man had been stabbed several times and was believed to have died from those injuries, he said.

The man did not appear to be robbed, as he was wearing jewelry when he was found, Monahan said.

Investigators this morning were trying to determine the man's identity and circumstances surrounding his death. No suspect information was available or arrests made this morning.