Monday, November 12, 2012

NEVEDA - Court Stays Laughlin River Run Biker Case

OFF THE WIRE
The Hell's Angels case was supposed to begin on Monday but late Thursday afternoon the Nevada State Supreme Court issued a stay in the case.
Seven of the eight defendants went to court Thursday morning and entered a plea of not guilty. Attorneys were then supposed to negotiate to try to avoid a trial. But that didn't happen.
Ross Goodman, defense attorney, said, "Were there negotiations today? Not that I'm aware of. We're set to begin this trial on Monday, looking forward to it."
Goodman, who represents one of the eight Hell's Angels, confirmed that talks between the defense attorneys and the prosecution did not occur Thursday.
After seven of the eight defendants entered not guilty pleas in the morning, the judge set aside the afternoon for the two sides to negotiate. But when they returned after 3 p.m. there was no deal. The trial -- expected to last at least eight weeks -- will begin on Monday.
Goodman commented, "We're prepared. We're ready to go to trial on Monday."
The trial is expected to be lengthy because of the number of defendants and because of the nature of the crime. The eight men are charged with the chaotic Laughlin River Run shootout on April 28, 2002.
The Hell's Angels are charged along with five rival Mongol gang members for the murder of three men in the Harrah's Laughlin casino. Two of the victims were Hell's Angels members and one was a Mongol.
Each of the eight defendants is facing up to nearly 52 counts of murder, battery, assault and conspiracy.
There's still a chance attorneys could negotiate a deal by Monday. Pre-trial motions are set to begin Friday.
The Mongols case was separated from the Hell's Angels case. That trial is expected to begin in February.