Thursday, Sept. 8, 2005 | 9:53 a.m.
SUN CAPITAL BUREAU
CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the appeal of a man who was convicted of critically wounding a Las Vegas taxicab driver during a robbery in May 2003.
Charles Stanton III shot Mark Chavez in the head just in front of his right ear and the bullet passed between his skull and jaw, exited the head and struck part of his thumb.
Chavez had picked up three passengers who directed him to drive to a secluded part of town. Stanton was in the front seat and he pulled a gun. Chavez testified at trial he reached into his shirt pocket to pull out $90 when Stanton shot him.
Stanton testified at trial the gun accidentally went off. The court said it concluded "that a reasonable jury could find beyond a reasonable doubt that Stanton deliberately intended to kill Chavez during the robbery."
Stanton was convicted of attempted robbery, kidnapping and attempted murder. He was sentenced to a life term with parole eligibility after 60 months but also was given a consecutive sentence of 120 to 240 months.
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