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Sounilak Ouchlaeun, center, appears in court with interpreter Thirawat Apichonrattanakorn, left, and public defender Christy Craig, right, at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas on Tuesday, November 27, 2012. Ouchlaeun is charged with murder with a deadly weapon for running over her boyfriend with a car.
By Jackie Valley (contact) 
Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012 | 9:37 a.m.
Man run over by car in driveway
More than a dozen family members and friends filled a Las Vegas courtroom Tuesday in support of 33-year-old Sounilak Ouchlaeun, accused of fatally striking her boyfriend with a car after an argument.
She is charged with murder with a deadly weapon.
Public Defender Christy Craig referenced Ouchlaeun’s supporters when she asked Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Eric A. Goodman to release Ouchlaeun on her own recognizance. Ouchlaeun, a card dealer at the Rio, has no prior criminal history, Craig said.
Ouchlaeun, who required a translator speaking Thai and Laotian, has legally resided in the United States since 2004, Craig said.
“There is a significant chance this was simply a tragic accident,” Craig said.
Goodman, citing concerns of Ouchlaeun being a flight risk, set bail at $100,000, the amount sought by prosecutors.
“This is a murder case at this point,” Deputy District Attorney Robert Stephens said. “Clearly, I believe some bail would be necessary.”
The incident, which killed 41-year-old Conrado Martinez Mendoza, happened the night of Nov. 19 at the couple’s Spring Valley home. A Metro Police report indicates the couple had been drinking before an argument ensued about her interaction with co-workers at the Rio, where both worked.
As the fight escalated, Ouchlaeun and Mendoza struck each other, a friend who was inside the home told detectives, according to the report.
That’s when Ouchlaeun attempted to leave.
As Ouchlaeun back her car out of the garage, she struck Mendoza, who had been standing behind the car, according to the arrest report. Officers arrived to find Mendoza dead under the 2010 Toyota Venza.
Speaking outside the courtroom after the hearing, Craig said she expects blood tests will show all three — Ouchlaeun, Mendoza and his friend — had a high level of alcohol in their systems. Ouchlaeun and Mendoza had moved in together Nov. 1 at the home in the 4300 block of Mammoth Creek Drive, Craig said.
“It’s very difficult,” Craig said, referencing Ouchlaeun’s emotions. “She’s never been in trouble before. She’s never even had a speeding ticket. She’s at a real loss.”
Craig said Ouchlaeun intends to plead not guilty.
Louis Rosenberg, a friend of the Ouchlaeun family, called the incident a “tragic accident.”
“She has not a malice bone in her body,” Rosenberg said. “She is the nicest person in the world, and she is in total devastation about this.”
Ouchlaeun, who has been in custody at the Clark County Detention Center, did not speak and kept her head bowed during most of the hearing. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for 9 a.m. Dec. 14.
Sounds like she hooked up with a jealous type of guy. Throw in alcohol and violent tempers and this is the outcome. How can she be a dealer and not speak English?
@TomD1228,
The defendant is entitled to have a translator if they feel they need one. I understand Spanish, French and German quite well to have a conversation in those languages, but a full blown trial is a totally different scenario.
There are plenty of English speakers who have problems comprehending what was said in court.
The bail was low considering she killed a human being with a car.
I full story may never be known
Comment removed by moderator. Off Topic
Comment removed by moderator. Inappropriate
She has legally resided in the United States since 2004, and STILL doesn't speak English? ...and she's a dealer at Rio, deals with the public? I say after she gets out of prison, put her on the first flight back home. Obviously she doesn't respect the values of this country or humans life.
"Life imitating art." I've seen this scenario before on an episode of "Law & Order." That broad went to prison; this one should, also. You aren't in Laos anymore, Sounilak Ouchlaeun. BTW, now we, the taxpayers, get to fork over for public defenders, translators and God only knows what else for this ignorant woman. What a country!