Court rejects appeal of Vegas murderer

Monday, May 23, 2005 | 9:25 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court on Friday rejected the appeal of Donald R. Lee, sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 1986 for the killing of a serviceman stationed at Nellis Air Force Base and robbing him of $9.

Lee claimed that the late District Judge Paul Goldman, who presided at the trial, suffered from a mental illness and his misconduct resulted in an unfair trial.

The court said information about Goldman's illness was available in 1992 and Lee waited 12 years to raise that issue. It said "We conclude that this unexplained 12-year delay constitutes an abuse of the writ," and it upheld the decision of District Judge Michael Cherry who denied the writ.

Lee and three others were convicted of the killing and robbing of John Brown. One of those convicted had the murder charges dropped against him after serving 13 years in prison. He was pardoned.

The court also rejected the appeal of Lailoni D. Morrison, convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison with possibility of parole after 10 years. Morrison was convicted of the shooting of Joseph "Doughboy" Williams in March 2001 in Las Vegas. Two others were also convicted in the gang shooting.