Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Former Metro officer loses appeal in fatal 1996 shooting

CARSON CITY – The Nevada Supreme Court has denied the appeal of a former Metro Police officer, convicted of first-degree murder in the random shooting of a 21-year-old man in December 1996.

Ronald L. Mortensen, now 44 and serving a life term without the possibility of parole at High Desert State Prison in Clark County, had raised a number of issues in his latest appeal.

He said the jury instruction at his trial on premeditation and deliberation was improper and warranted a new hearing.

The court said Mortensen and fellow officer Christopher Brady were driving while drinking and celebrating Mortensen’s 31st birthday. The court said the two were harassing citizens and pulled their truck up to a group of suspected gang members.

Mortensen requested that the group approach him, then he stuck his gun out the window and fired, killing Daniel Mendoza, a reputed gang member.

Mortensen’s defense at trial was that Brady was the gunman and the defense lawyer made no effort to challenge the premeditation instruction or argue Mortensen lacked the requisite intent for first-degree murder.

The court said the evidence at trial showed the murder was “premeditated, willful and deliberate” and it was a harmless error to give the jury the instruction.

The court also rejected his claims that his trial lawyer was ineffective and failed to prepare for the 12-day trial.

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