Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Bail hearing delayed; 73-year-old Sparks man accused in ‘stand-your-ground’ case to remain jailed

SPARKS— A judge has granted a public defender's request to delay a bail hearing 10 days for a 73-year-old Sparks man facing murder charges in a killing that has drawn attention to Nevada's "stand your ground law."

After some initial disagreement with his lawyer in Sparks Justice Court, Wayne Burgarello agreed Monday to postpone his hearing and return to the county jail where he's being held without bail.

Justice of the Peace Chris Wilson set a hearing for June 12 after public defender Justin Champagne said he'd just been appointed Burgarello's lawyer and had only talked with him for about 20 minutes.

Burgarello told police he acted in self-defense Feb. 13 when he killed a man and shot a woman he found in a vacant duplex he owns in Sparks. He's been charged with murder and attempted murder.

Burgarello is accused of murdering 34-year-old Cody Devine and seriously wounding 29-year-old Janai Wilson. Authorities say Burgarello shot them in a vacant duplex he owns in February.

Nevada law allows a homeowner to use lethal force to protect his or her property but only if they are not the original aggressor.

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