Friday, June 1, 2012

RENO, Nev. - Murder charges upped in biker gangs' NV casino shootout; DA: new evidence it was premeditated

OFF THE WIRE
 therepublic.com
Washoe County prosecutors have upped the charges against the man accused of killing a rival motorcycle gang member at a Sparks casino based on new evidence that suggests the shooting was deliberate and premeditated.
Ernesto Manuel Gonzalez already was charged with second-degree murder in the September shooting of Jeffrey Pettigrew, president of the Hells Angels chapter in San Jose, Calif.
Gonzalez, the 53-year-old president of the Vagos' Nicaragua chapter, was arraigned in Washoe District Court again Thursday on additional charges of open murder and conspiracy to commit murder. He pleaded not guilty.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Karl Hall says in a new complaint Gonzalez was "lying in wait" for Pettigrew.
He says he conspired with other Vagos with the "specific intent" to kill in promotion of their gang.