Trial delayed for man accused of ex-wife’s murder

By Jeff Pope

Published Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008 | 2:17 p.m.

Updated Friday, Oct. 24, 2008 | 10:42 a.m.

The trial of a Las Vegas man accused of killing his ex-wife in his mother’s house in western Las Vegas has been delayed until Jan. 13, 2009.

Clifford E. McClain, of Sunrise Manor, stands charged with first-degree murder, assault and battery and domestic violence battery in the death of Allainna McClain, whose body was found on Feb. 17 in the garage at 8749 Isola Dr., near Charleston Boulevard and Fort Apache Road.

Her mother-in-law, Melody Nelson, found McClain, 24, and called 911. Nelson told police that she found Clifford McClain, 30, curled in the fetal position on a sofa inside the house.

Judge Michelle Leavitt is presiding over a trial that is running longer than expected, forcing the McClain trial to be pushed back from its scheduled Oct. 7 start.

The Clark County coroner ruled McClain’s death a homicide as a result of strangulation. She also suffered blunt force trauma to both sides of her head, possibly from being struck by a wooden cane that police found near her body.

Nelson testified during an April 10 preliminary hearing that she was on vacation in Pinetop, Ariz., with the McClains’ two children, ages 3 years old and 9 months, at the time of their mother’s death.

Allainna, a nursing student at the College of Southern Nevada, went to Nelson’s house to pick them up as planned at about 8 p.m. on Feb. 17. Nelson arrived at her home shortly after 9 p.m. and found Allainna’s body.

Police records indicate the couple reported three domestic violent incidents between 2003 and 2006 — two times Clifford was charged as the aggressor and once Allainna was charged.

Police issued a warrant for Clifford McClain on March 20, but he was not arrested until his initial appearance in Justice Court on March 27.

He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Jeff Pope can be reached at 990-2688 or [email protected].