Jackie Valley

Crime and Courts Reporter

Jackie has lived in northwest Indiana, South Carolina, Cleveland and Dayton, Ohio. A Cleveland girl at heart, she graduated from Kent State University, where she was the student newspaper editor. She completed a Dow Jones copy editing internship at the Virginian-Pilot in summer 2009 and a year later joined the Sun, where she covers crime and courts.

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Story Archive

Family of slain veteran still wants to see someone held accountable: Police shooting of Stanley Gibson to be examined in revamped process; Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013; In the 14 months since Stanley Gibson was shot and killed by Metro Police officers, Gibson’s family has struggled with unanswered questions. The family’s quest for understanding has yielded lots of closed doors but few answers.
Grand jury returns indictment in stabbing death of 10-year-old, Bellagio slashing: Friday, Feb. 22, 2013; The woman accused of killing 10-year-old Jade Morris and attacking a co-worker at the Bellagio has been indicted by a Clark County grand jury on murder and attempted murder charges. Brenda Stokes Wilson, 50, has been charged with first-degree kidnapping, murder, burglary, attempted murder, battery resulting in substantial bodily harm and mayhem — all with use of a deadly weapon, according to an indictment returned Thursday
Trio accused in attempted hit on interstate waives preliminary hearing: Friday, Feb. 22, 2013; The relatives accused of attempting to kill a man driving last year along Interstate 15 waived their right to a preliminary hearing Friday in Las Vegas Justice Court. Amy Bessey, 42, along with her son, Michael Bessey, 21, and her brother, Richard Pearson, 39, will make their first appearance Feb. 26 in Clark County District Court. The trio's alleged target was Amy Bessey's estranged husband, 49-year-old Robert Bessey.
Two suspects jailed in weekend elevator attack at Strip hotel: Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013; An argument that erupted early Saturday morning in a Las Vegas Strip hotel elevator led to a stabbing and landed two men in jail, according to arrest reports released Tuesday.
No injuries reported from hard-landing at Henderson airport: Monday, Feb. 18, 2013; No one was injured Monday afternoon when a plane made a hard landing at Henderson Executive Airport, officials said. A preliminary investigation indicated the plane landed without proper gear in place, said Christine Crews, a spokeswoman for the Clark County Department of Aviation. The incident happened at 2:22 p.m.
Trial date set in rape case involving Saudi air force sergeant: Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013; A May 13 trial date has been set for Mazen Alotaibi, the Saudi air force sergeant charged with raping a teenage boy on New Year’s Eve in a Las Vegas Strip hotel.
Bible study leader is accused of sex crimes: Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013; Metro Police allege a Bible study leader used his role to gain access to children and sexually assault them, officials said. David James, 29, of Las Vegas, was arrested Jan. 7 by Metro detectives on a variety of sex-related charges involving juveniles.
Suspect wanted in domestic abuse case now sought in break-in, car theft: Friday, Feb. 8, 2013; Metro Police are asking the public’s help finding a suspect accused of stealing an elderly couple’s car and threatening an ex-girlfriend.
Awareness effort continues to curb crib deaths throughout valley: Friday, Feb. 8, 2013; A sleeping baby who moves the wrong way in an unsafe environment can suffocate in fewer than five minutes, becoming another preventable child death in Clark County, authorities say. Last year, Metro Police investigated approximately 25 sleep-related deaths in the Las Vegas Valley, Sgt. Kristine Buist said. That’s a preliminary number and doesn’t include cases from Henderson and North Las Vegas, she added.
Case involving attack on Bellagio dealer, death of 10-year-old headed to grand jury: Friday, Feb. 8, 2013; Prosecutors plan to send the case against Brenda Stokes — the woman accused of killing 10-year-old Jade Morris and attacking a Bellagio co-worker — to a Clark County grand jury later this month. Chief Deputy District Attorney Robert Daskas revealed the prosecution's plan during a hearing Thursday in Las Vegas Justice Court to discuss Stokes' representation going forward.
Arraignment postponed for man accused of double shooting: Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013; An arraignment for a 57-year-old man accused of killing his former girlfriend and her new boyfriend was postponed today until next week, per a defense request.
Decades after daughter's murder, mother still fighting to keep killer behind bars: Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013; The ritual has come every two to three years. This time it occurs Thursday, when Carol Nicoletti will attend a parole hearing and beg the board’s commissioners to keep her daughter’s convicted killer behind bars. “It’s been totally devastating, especially when it comes this time of year because it opens all the wounds again,” said Nicoletti, who lives in Sparks.
Lawyer: Saudi man arrested in teen rape too drunk to waive Miranda rights: Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013; The defense attorney for a Saudi air force sergeant charged with raping a teenage boy on the Las Vegas Strip says he plans to file a motion to prevent his client’s interrogation by police from being used as evidence.
New app offers court docket information in real time: Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013; A judge’s suggestion served as inspiration for a new smartphone application that gives users real-time court information.
NTSB says inadequate maintenance likely cause of fatal tour helicopter crash: Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013; Inadequate maintenance likely led to a helicopter crash that killed five people outside of Las Vegas in December 2011, the National Transportation Safety Board announced Tuesday.
Driving in the Las Vegas Valley? Watch for flashing yellow arrows: Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013; Move over red and green. There’s a new traffic signal in town, and it’s yellow. And if you drive, chances are you’ve encountered it. The Nevada Department of Transportation installed 165 flashing yellow arrow turn signals last year in Southern Nevada.
'I was held down, and I was beat up': Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013; The women sitting around a table often start and stop, pausing to catch a stray tear or find the right words. They are victims of rape — a word that haunts these women gathered at the Las Vegas Rape Crisis Center. Their mission: Listen and, when and if they’re ready, talk.
At Metro, retirements taking toll on ranks: Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013; Retired Metro Police Officer Raymond Berni's departure from Metro Police in December meant another subtraction on a large whiteboard leaning against a wall in Deputy Chief Kevin McMahill’s office.
Worker dies in industrial accident: Monday, Jan. 21, 2013; An industrial accident Monday morning at Apex Quarry and Plant killed a male worker, officials said. The accident happened shortly before 11:30 a.m., and the man was pronounced dead at the scene, said Capt. Cedric Williams of the North Las Vegas Fire Department.
Murder charge added against suspect accused in beating of 70-year-old: Friday, Jan. 18, 2013; A man who told police he used “jiu-jitsu” and “world-class Kung-fu” to knock out an elderly man has been charged with murder after the victim died.
Bond set at $1.22 million for Saudi airman accused of raping teen on New Year's Eve in Strip hotel: Friday, Jan. 18, 2013; Inside a Clark County courtroom Friday, bail was set at $1.22 million for the Saudi air force sergeant charged with raping a teenage boy New Year’s Eve on the Las Vegas Strip. Outside the courtroom, the airman’s attorney disputed police reports and maintained the teen approached the Saudi and his fellow airmen and offered to perform sex acts for money.
Former Metro officer sentenced for groping women while on duty: Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013; A former Metro Police officer who pleaded guilty to inappropriately touching women while on duty received a two-year prison sentence. John Norman, 34, had pleaded guilty in June to two gross misdemeanors.
Lawyer: Man accused of group home slayings suffers from dementia: Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013; David Settle, accused of bludgeoning to death two people at a group home last month, suffers from a condition related to Alzheimer’s disease and needs more medical testing, a public defender told a judge.
Saudi airman accused in rape of teen boy ordered back to court Friday: Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013; A Saudi air force sergeant charged with raping a teenage boy New Year’s Eve on the Las Vegas Strip appeared Thursday morning in Las Vegas Justice Court, only to find out he’ll return Friday.
Las Vegas lawyer pleads to mortgage fraud scheme in valley: Monday, Jan. 14, 2013; A Las Vegas lawyer pleaded guilty to his involvement in a mortgage fraud scheme that cost banks and other federally insured institutions $30 million, Nevada’s U.S. Attorney Daniel Bogden announced today.
With crime rate increase, sheriff points to need for additional funding: Friday, Jan. 11, 2013; Crime in Las Vegas increased roughly 9 percent last year compared with 2011, underscoring the need for more police funding, Sheriff Doug Gillespie told the Sun’s editorial board Thursday.
Two defendants, two different pleas in slaying of Palms cocktail waitress: Victim's husband pleads not guilty; alleged hitman admits to charges; Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013; The firefighter and homeless man allegedly involved in a murder-for-hire plot that left a Palms cocktail waitress dead in September entered different pleas Thursday during their arraignments in Clark County District Court.
Bail set at $750,000 for woman accused of plotting to kill husband: Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013; A justice of the peace set bail Thursday at $750,000 for a woman arrested in an alleged plot to kill her husband, who was shot in the neck in November as he drove along Interstate 15 outside of Las Vegas.
Summit attendees vow to sustain fight against sex-trafficking industry: Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013; Authorities say the force driving the sex-trafficking industry, one that’s flourishing in Las Vegas and around the world, comes down to simple economics: supply and demand. “It’s like a drive-through,” said Metro Police Lt. Karen Hughes, who oversees the department’s vice section. “It’s sad to see, but it happens.” Hughes was one of numerous speakers at a sex-trafficking summit Wednesday organized by Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto.
Union advises officers not to testify in new police fatality review hearings: Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013; The Las Vegas police union’s stance on officer testimony has not changed despite what it calls “positive changes” in the new police fatality review process, approved Monday by the Clark County Commission.
Metro conducting internal investigation into dog shooting: Monday, Jan. 7, 2013; A Metro Police sergeant continues working at full capacity pending an investigation into his fatal shooting of a dog Sunday afternoon, officials said. The dog’s death came amid a gunfire investigation in the 100 block of South 16th Street, police said.
Chief judge named for North Las Vegas Justice Court: Monday, Jan. 7, 2013; A Las Vegas native has been named chief judge of the North Las Vegas Justice Court, officials announced Monday.
Trial scheduled in decades-old homicides: Monday, Jan. 7, 2013; Trial in the case of a former Las Vegas resident charged with strangling three women decades ago is now scheduled for March 17, 2014.
Oxycodone trafficker is sentenced to 15 years in federal prison: Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013; A Las Vegas man was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for trafficking prescription drugs between here and Alaska, Nevada’s U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Bogden announced Thursday.
Attorney hints at insanity defense for suspect in double-homicide: Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013; Defense attorneys requested more time to review the case of David Settle, the man accused of bludgeoning to death two people at a group home, before a preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled. Settle, 68, waived his right to a preliminary hearing within 15 days.
Mother, daughter reverse course, pleading guilty in death of elderly coin collector: Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013; A mother and daughter have pleaded guilty to killing their elderly neighbor in April and stealing her coin collection, court officials said.
Bail revoked for woman charged in Bellagio attack and girl’s death: Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013; A judge revoked bail for Brenda Stokes, the woman accused of attacking a Bellagio co-worker and killing 10-year-old Jade Morris, during a court hearing Wednesday morning.
Hundreds of thousands ring in 2013 in Las Vegas: Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013; With fireworks, fanfare and frivolity, Las Vegas once again showed the world Monday night how to put on a New Year's Eve party as 300,000-plus New Year's Eve revelers on the Las Vegas Strip and Fremont Street braved sub-freezing temperatures to toast the first few ticks of 2013.
Blog: Celebrating New Year's Eve, Vegas style: Monday, Dec. 31, 2012; Despite a nip in the air as temperatures drop into the 30s, Las Vegas is giving its traditional warm New Year's Eve welcome to hundreds of thousands of visitors tonight throughout the Strip and in the downtown's Fremont Street. As the expected gathering of some 314,000 revelers celebrate, Sun reporters and photographers will be capturing the sights and sounds of celebration.
Bail increased for woman arrested in Bellagio razor attack: Friday, Dec. 28, 2012; A judge increased bail to $600,000 for Brenda Stokes, accused of attacking a coworker at the Bellagio, as police continue investigating the death of 10-year-old Jade Morris.
Organizer expects record turnout this weekend at Las Vegas gun show: Surge in gun sales accompanies calls for gun control in wake of Sandy Hook massacre; Friday, Dec. 28, 2012; Organizers of a gun show in town this weekend expect bigger crowds as more first-time buyers, buoyed by safety fears and any looming federal crackdown on gun sales, flock to Cashman Center.
Authorities investigating whether body is that of missing 10-year-old: Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012; A grim discovery Thursday in the northern stretches of the Las Vegas Valley has authorities trying to determine whether the case of a missing 10-year-old is now a homicide.
FBI had warned of possible plot against Las Vegas high school: Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012; A teen arrested after authorities found weapons in his car at a Las Vegas high school has been linked to a suspect facing federal firearms, explosives and terror threat charges, police said.
Man charged in 3 Las Vegas strangling deaths pleads not guilty: Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012; A man police allege strangled three women and left their bodies outside Las Vegas apartment complexes in 1978 and 1994 pleaded not guilty Wednesday morning in Clark County District Court.
UNLV program acquaints potential young witnesses with courtroom practices, earns 'Bright Ideas' award: Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012; The young witnesses called to the stand give the same story every time: Their blue bike is missing, and they saw a man wearing a purple suit take it. That’s the simple part.
Police debunk reported threats at Las Vegas schools: Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012; Friday’s mass shootings at a Newtown, Conn., elementary school continue to cause concerns in Clark County, where law enforcement authorities say they’ve investigated more than a dozen reports of threats involving local schools. “So far, nothing has been substantiated,” Metro Police Capt. Tom Roberts told reporters at a Tuesday morning news conference. “They’ve all dead-ended.” Metro and Clark County School District Police officials are asking parents — and the public at large — to be vigilant when they hear of or see a real threat involving a school.
CCSD, Metro officials re-emphasize commitment to safe schools: Friday, Dec. 14, 2012; A small red binder sits in the office of every Clark County school principal. It’s called a crisis-response guide, an easy-to-grab tool administrators hope to never touch. Inside the soft, waterproof folder is a color-coded guide for dealing with emergencies: food contamination, earthquakes, fires, suspicious packages and the list goes on.
With street robberies rising, Metro urges holiday shoppers to be aware of surroundings: Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012; As holiday shoppers survey merchandise to satisfy wish lists, police say crooks are doing the same — scanning crowds to find potential robbery victims. Street robberies have increased roughly 6 percent since last year, prompting police to urge shoppers to be more aware of their surroundings, said Lt. William Scott of Metro Police’s robbery section.
Suspect in strangulation deaths bound over for trial: Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012; The man accused of three decades-old Las Vegas strangling deaths, one in 1978 and the other two in 1994, will be forwarded to Clark County District Court for trial.
Drug-trafficking kingpin pleads guilty in meth case: Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012; A drug-trafficking ringleader associated with the largest methamphetamine bust in Southern Nevada has pleaded guilty to several felony charges, officials said.