Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Man goes on trial in attack on ex-Oakland Raiders player Javon Walker

Deshawn Thomas Trial

Sam Morris

Deshawn Thomas listens to opening statements during his trial on April 14. He was charged in connection with the beating and robbery of former Oakland Raiders wide receiver Javon Walker.

Deshawn Thomas Trial

Former Oakland Raiders wide receiver Javon Walker testifies April 14 in Clark County District Court at the trial of Deshawn Thomas,  who is charged in connection with the beating and robbery of Walker. Launch slideshow »

A few months after wide receiver Javon Walker signed a multi-year, multi-million-dollar contract with the Oakland Raiders, he and a few close friends hopped aboard a Southwest flight for a weekend of fun in Las Vegas.

He had been living in Phoenix, where he was training for the upcoming season. He booked some rooms at the Bellagio and, on the evening of June 15, 2008, the group partied it up at the Hard Rock Hotel.

After an evening of revelry, 31-year-old Walker was discovered unconscious, beaten and robbed in the parking lot of an apartment complex near Winnick Avenue and Koval Lane, about a block from the Las Vegas Strip.

He spent four days in the hospital. It took more than two months for him to fully recover.

Walker was on the witness stand Wednesday to testify at the trial of one of two men accused in the attack.

He said that although his memories of the alcohol-infused night are hazy, he recalled fearing for his life after realizing he was going to be robbed by the two men.

“I’m in Vegas. I’ve got a lot of money on me, and if I don’t cooperate, I’m probably going to die,” he said, recounting his thoughts as he was robbed.

Deshawn Thomas, 42, is charged with conspiracy to commit kidnapping, first-degree kidnapping with substantial bodily harm, battery with substantial bodily harm, battery with intent to commit a crime and conspiracy to commit robbery.

His trial is taking place in front of District Court Judge Doug Smith.

A co-defendant, 32-year-old Arfat Fadel, on Friday pleaded guilty to one count of robbery, one count of second-degree kidnapping and one count of conspiracy.

As part of Fadel’s plea agreement with prosecutors, the more serious kidnapping charge was dropped; Fadel also agreed to testify against Thomas and is expected to be on the stand later this week.

Prosecutors say Arfat and Thomas set their sights on Walker as a target when Thomas saw the pro football player’s flashy jewelry and visible state of intoxication as he was leaving the Hard Rock.

They allege Arfat and Thomas followed Walker’s party in Arfat’s black Range Rover to the Bellagio, where the football player voluntarily got into their vehicle.

He was found unconscious a few hours later.

Thomas’ attorneys said in opening arguments that Fadel’s testimony shouldn’t be trusted and poked holes in the timeline of events presented by prosecutors.

A series of casino surveillance videos and cell phone records will be among evidence presented to the jury to establish the series of encounters between Walker and his two alleged attackers, prosecutors said.

Walker testified he had broken bones in his face — one along his eye socket, and one above his teeth.

He said he felt as if his whole mouth had been “shifted to the right.” A metal rod had to be surgically inserted in his mouth, and it took about nine weeks to heal, he said.

A platinum and diamond necklace; two diamond stud earrings, each about 2 carats; a diamond-encrusted, custom-made designer watch; several casino chips from the Hard Rock in denominations of $1,000; and about $3,000 in cash were stolen, Walker said.

In court Wednesday, the only jewelry Walker was wearing was a simple Gucci watch. He will be back on the stand again Thursday as cross-examination continues by attorney Betsy Allen, who is representing Thomas.

Jury selection began Tuesday and a panel of seven men and seven women, which includes two alternates, was seated Wednesday afternoon. The trial is expected to last into next week.

If convicted, Thomas could be sentenced to decades in prison.

Court records show Thomas, who has past felony convictions, is also facing charges in another case that include pandering, child abuse, living from the earnings of a prostitute and statutory sexual seduction. That case is set for trial in May.

Walker was released by the Raiders last month. He signed a six-year, $55 million contract with the Raiders in March 2008.

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