News briefs for Sept. 15, 2005

Thursday, Sept. 15, 2005 | 9:59 a.m.

Nevada in line for reimbursements

Nevada is now qualified to be reimbursed by the federal government for its efforts in helping victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Gov. Kenny Guinn said Wednesday he has been notified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency that an emergency declaration has been made that makes Nevada eligible for federal money.

"Nevadans can be proud of their efforts to help people impacted by the hurricane," Guinn said. "With the assistance of nonprofit groups such as Catholic Charities, United Way, Red Cross, Salvation Army and many others that have worked hard to assist the evacuees, Nevada has demonstrated our support for the victims of Katrina."

Guinn said Nevada has deployed more than 225 Air and Army National Guard forces to the Gulf states. More than 100 state and local law enforcements officers are also in Louisiana helping with security and recovery efforts.

Dozens of pallets of food, water and medical supplies have also been airlifted to the region. The state also dispatched two 50-bed disaster medical facilities obtained from the state health Division in partnership with the Nevada Hospital Association.

Teachers agree to pay fines

Two teachers in the Carson City School District agreed Wednesday to each pay a $15 fine to the state Ethics Commission for using school time or equipment to support the candidacy of Assemblywoman Bonnie Parnell, D-Las Vegas.

Teachers Lynne Trujillo and Jeff Greb reached a settlement with the Ethics Commission on a complaint filed by Ron Knecht, a former assemblyman who was defeated by Parnell in the last election.

The commission said Trujillo should have known that using the school district's photocopier for political campaign work violated the ethics law. It said Greb should have known that using class preparation time for political chores was against the law.

The commission said the conduct of the two teachers does not violate the criminal laws, but it said it is required by law to refer the ethics violations to the school district for possible disciplinary action.

Court rejects killer's appeal

The Nevada Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the petition of Jack Perry, who killed another man at a North Las Vegas strip club in December 2000.

Perry claimed his attorney should have investigated lost evidence in the case and other potential suspects. He also contended his lawyer should have investigated his competency at the time of the shooting and when he entered his plea in light of his history of alcohol and drug abuse.

The court upheld the decision of District Judge Joseph Bonaventure who denied the petition for a writ of habeas corpus without an evidentiary hearing.

Perry, now 57, was found guilty of second-degree murder in the shooting of Kenneth Rowan. Both were managers at the Palomino Club. He was sentenced to life in prison on the murder charge and a consecutive four to 10 years on an attempted robbery charge.

Rehearing denied by high court

The Nevada Supreme Court on Wednesday denied a rehearing in the case of David R. Riker, sentenced to death for the murder of a Las Vegas man in 1992.

The court in June said Riker was not entitled to an evidentiary hearing in District Court on his petition because he failed to file the writ within the one-year period.

District Judge Michael Cherry had granted the Riker petition for a hearing. But the court overturned Cherry.

Riker and Richard A. Walker were accused of murder and robbery in the stabbing death of Kevin Marble in Las Vegas. Riker pleaded guilty and a three-judge panel sentenced him to death. Walker went to trial and received to consecutive life terms without parole.

Riker's petition was filed almost eight years after his first appeal was decided. The court said the petition must be filed within one year.