Arraignment delayed until March for man accused of killing teen girl

By Dave Toplikar

Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011 | 9:15 a.m.

An arraignment has been postponed a third time for a man accused of killing a Las Vegas teenager and critically injuring a man during a shooting in a home invasion in December.

Norman Belcher Jr. is set to be arraigned at 8:30 a.m. March 23 in Clark County District Court before District Judge Elissa Cadish.

Belcher been charged in the Dec. 6 death of 15-year-old Alexus Postorino and the shooting of Nicholas Brabham, 31.

Robert Langford, Belcher's attorney, asked for the delay this morning in the murder and robbery case.

"We're going to ask the court for another 30 days in order to prepare for the plea," Langford said.

"We're not opposed to it, your honor. I have discussed this with Mr. Langford," Assistant District Attorney Christopher Lalli told the judge.

Outside the courtroom, Lalli would not comment on whether they were involved in any plea negotiations.

Belcher, who was present in the courtroom this morning, is currently being held without bail in the Clark County Detention Center.

He was bound over for trial by Justice of the Peace Joe Bonaventure after a preliminary hearing Jan. 24 in Las Vegas Justice Court.

Belcher has been charged with burglary while in possession of a deadly weapon, two counts of robbery with the use of a deadly weapon, murder with the use of a deadly weapon, attempted murder with the use of a deadly weapon, battery with the use of a deadly weapon resulting in substantial bodily harm, and third-degree larceny.

Alexus Postorino's father, Bill Postorino, testified at Belcher's preliminary hearing that the shooting followed a disagreement that he and Belcher, who were friends, were having over money.

Postorino, who told the court that he sold drugs out of his home because he didn't have a job, testified that Belcher was familiar with his home and knew where he kept drugs and money in a safe in the home's master bedroom.

Postorino said he had accused Belcher of breaking into his home earlier, on Dec. 1, and stealing drugs, money and other items. Postorino also said Belcher had confronted him about owing him money and that he had eventually had another man who lived at the house, Nicholas Brabham, pay back the money.

Brabham, who testified at the hearing in January from a hospital bed at University Medical Center, pointed out Belcher as the man who had broken into the home Dec. 6 at three-bedroom home at 9752 Villa Lorena Drive.

Brabham said as he stood at the top of the stairs, Belcher shot him twice, then Belcher came up the stairs and went into the master bedroom. Postorino testified that he wasn't home at the time and was letting his daughter, Alexus, use his room while hers was being painted.

Police said when they arrived they found both Alexus Postorino and Brabham suffering from multiple gunshots. Both were taken to UMC, where the teenager died.