Las Vegas Sun

February 11, 2012

Currently: 70° | Complete forecast | Log in

Court denies appeal for Nevada death row inmate

Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009 | 12:53 p.m.

CARSON CITY – The Nevada Supreme Court denied the latest appeal of death row inmate William B. Leonard, convicted of killing a fellow inmate at the Nevada State Prison in October 1987.

The court said Leonard was barred from filing his latest petition for a writ of habeas corpus because it was past the deadline.

In his petition, Leonard said the jury in 1988 was not properly instructed and there was an “oppressive law enforcement presence in the courtroom during the trial.” The court said he had already raised those arguments, which were previously rejected.

Leonard was in prison for killing two men in 1981 in Mineral County. He was then convicted of the murder of fellow inmate Joseph Wright, who was stabbed 31 times. Prison officials said Leonard had a smile on his face when guards took him into custody.

Leonard, who is 49 and at the state prison in Ely, maintains he was acting in self defense.

Post a comment

Commenting requires registration.

Comments are moderated by Las Vegas Sun editors. Our goal is not to limit the discussion, but rather to elevate it. Comments should be relevant and contain no abusive language. Comments that are off-topic, vulgar, profane or include personal attacks will be removed. Full comments policy.

If you would like to submit your comment as a letter to the editor, you may submit it here.

Most Popular

  • Viewed
  • Discussed
  • E-mailed
  • Facebook