Bethany Barnes

Story Archive

Man accused of posing as cop, raping 2 women on Strip pleads not guilty
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Metro Police arrested Mark Picozzi in January for allegedly posing as a vice officer and assaulting an escort at the Cosmopolitan. Shortly after news broke of Picozzi’s arrest, a prostitute came forward and said ...
Arson Puppies raffle closes; no Arson Orphans in this litter
Monday, March 24, 2014
Organizers have closed the book on entrants in the raffle for the “Arson Puppies," and all of the dogs received multiple bids and should be...
Man arrested in backstage brawl with male strippers appears in court
Monday, March 24, 2014
A man arrested after a backstage brawl with members of the Thunder From Down Under all-male revue appeared today in court, where a judge set a preliminary hearing for April 7. Joey Kadmiri, 24, is accused of...
Suspect blames ‘mental trip-out’ for brawl with male dancers
Friday, March 21, 2014
Joey Kadmiri says he doesn’t belong in a jail cell for his backstage run-in with the dancers from the Thunder From Down Under. What he needs, he insists, is outpatient therapy for ...
Suspect in 'Thunder From Down Under' case had failed to show for court date in domestic violence case
Thursday, March 20, 2014
It’s possible the man accused of trying to steal costumes from the male strip revue "Thunder From Down Under," then shooting a gun when he was confronted was just in need of a good disguise. A judge issued a warrant for 24-year-old Joey Kadmiri’s arrest in December when he …
Metro seeks public assistance in locating 2 people
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Metro Police is asking for the public to help officers find two people who went missing on March 19. One is Destiny Kellogg, 11, and the other is 42-year-old Mark Rock.
Police ID suspect in shooting during fight with male revue dancers
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
A Metro arrest report provides a dramatic account of the behind-the-scenes confrontation Tuesday at the Excalibur between the dancers and a man...
Judge sets preliminary hearing in case involving woman who died of injuries after spanking, beating
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
A May preliminary hearing is scheduled for the Las Vegas man accused of murder in the weekend death of his girlfriend. Las Vegas Township Judge Melanie Tobiasson today set a May 16 court date for Edward Edgerton, 26, who told the court …
‘Thunder’ performers subdue shooting suspect at Excalibur, police say
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
The man lurking behind the scenes at Excalibur might have targeted a better employees locker room than the one used by the performers in the...
Man charged with DUI in fatal U.S. 95 crash
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Initially, Nevada Highway Patrol thought the driver, Gary Richard Adair Jr., was suffering from a diabetic episode. Upon further investigation, it became clear Adair was impaired and...
Mesquite mom sentenced to a year in jail for cancer scam
Monday, March 17, 2014
A Mesquite woman was sentenced to a year in jail today for tricking community members into thinking she needed money to help her 7-year-old fight cancer. According to a police, she staged…
Charges filed against substitute teacher for alleged inappropriate relationship with student
Monday, March 17, 2014
Allegations that lunchtime tutoring turned into 12 days of dating has a substitute teacher behind bars, facing more criminal charges than days she and the student allegedly were together. Tanikka S. Queen, 22, Las Vegas, is charged with 29 criminal counts that stem from an alleged relationship with a 15-year-old …
Here’s the ticket: Fewer citations causing hurt for specialty courts
Monday, March 17, 2014
When officers write fewer traffic tickets, it means trouble for the courts, which build their budgets on the business of busting mischievous motorists. A drop in fines and court costs collected from traffic cases and other misdemeanors is translating into budget cuts that could wind up costing …
Convicted cop impersonator's sexual assault case advances
Thursday, March 13, 2014
A convicted cop impersonator will stand trial on allegations that he posed as a vice officer and forced himself on …
As Arson Puppies await court outcome, Animal Foundation sees other adoptions increase
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
While the fate of the “Arson Puppies” is still up in the air, the dogs’ celebrity status may be helping their comrades in cages find homes. For each dog that was rescued from a January pet shop fire, one shelter dog has found an owner — at least that’s what an uptick in adoptions at the Animal Foundation implies.
Fate of puppies rescued from fire remains up in air
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
The 27 dogs at the center of an arson case remain in legal limbo while Clark County and a pet shop’s owner fight in court about how the animals should be adopted.
In court of public opinion, cases involving animals pushed to center stage
Monday, March 10, 2014
When animals end up at the center of legal battles, they also seemed to be pushed to the center of the public's fascination. Here are four such cases that attracted attention recently.
Meter begins ticking for UMC as judge weighs special master’s role in unpaid overtime case
Monday, March 10, 2014
After determining University Medical Center needed outside assistance following court orders, a federal judge will decide later today just how much guidance the hospital needs.
'Arson Puppies' raffle begins today despite some dogged opposition
Friday, March 7, 2014
A raffle for 27 puppies rescued from a January pet shop fire has riled some activists who have protested outside the shelter and threatened to...
For a seventh time, trial date scheduled in dismemberment death of Luxor dancer
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
A judge today set another new trial date for the man accused of killing and dismembering the body of his ex-girlfriend, a Luxor dancer. Clark County District Judge Kathleen Delaney set May 5 to start the trial of Jason “Blu” Griffith, 35, a former dancer in “The Beatles Love,” the Cirque du Soleil show at the Mirage.
Protesters claim puppy raffle is money grab
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Not everyone is happy about plans announced this week to adopt out the 27 puppies rescued from a January fire at a Las Vegas pet store. Some people argue that...
Months after deadly scuffle, question lingers: Was justice served?
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Last summer, Donald “JJ” Harris was on security patrol at a downtown apartment complex when he died in a confrontation with a drifter. His friends are wondering why the D.A.'s Office...
Bail for 2nd suspect in pet shop fire set at $310K; D.A. moves to clear way for pups' adoption
Friday, Feb. 28, 2014
Firefighters rescued 27 puppies from a fire last month at a Las Vegas pet store. Two people have been accused of arson in that blaze. But what has become of the puppies?

The dog ate my summons — and other unique excuses to get out of jury duty
Friday, Feb. 28, 2014
For many Clark County residents, serving on a jury is stressful and time-consuming, so some people get pretty creative when trying to get out of their civic duty.
Suspect accused of killing wife over divorce request may face death penalty
Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014
The man accused of stabbing his wife to death because he didn't want a divorce waived his right to a preliminary hearing today, sending his case on the path to trial.
Metro busy explaining decision to quit responding to minor wrecks
Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014
Metro Police held a news conference and released a public service announcement to explain a new policy that at its root, officials say, is aimed at curtailing traffic fatalities.
Victim of machete attack remembered at rally prior to beginning of suspect's trial
Monday, Feb. 24, 2014
From the steps of the Regional Justice Center, the activists against domestic violence cried out in Spanish and English, “If I can’t use my hands, I will use my voice!” Of the 20 participants in a rally Monday, at least 10 wore sashes with the words “survivor” draped over their chests, indicating that they had escaped domestic abuse.
Widower, in court, lashes out at sister accused of stabbing pregnant woman to death
Monday, Feb. 24, 2014
Clark County District Judge Stefany Miley today denied defense efforts to send a case involving the October 2013 death of a pregnant woman back to a Clark County grand jury.
Pet store owner asserts her innocence in court hearing
Alleged co-conspirator also appears in court
Monday, Feb. 24, 2014
A woman accused of setting fire to her Las Vegas pet shop and endangering 27 puppies left inside it pleaded not guilty today to the 31 charges she faces in Clark County District Court.
Woman pleads guilty in shooting of motorist on Las Vegas Strip
Monday, Feb. 24, 2014
A woman accused of shooting a man in the neck in what authorities described as a road-rage shooting on the Las Vegas Strip pleaded guilty in Clark County District Court today.
Supporters of victim in 2012 machete attack rally today as suspect's trial begins
Maria Gomez died of cancer six months after grisly hacking
Monday, Feb. 24, 2014
Maria Gomez thought after she’d managed to survive a 2012 machete attack that severed her hands, she’d be able to see justice brought to the ex-boyfriend who Gomez said left her maimed. Then came the diagnosis: uterine cancer. Gomez died Sept. 5, 2012, six months after the March, 21, 2012, attack outside the Green Valley Grocery, 530 E. Craig Road. She was 53.
Hearing delayed for man arrested in pet store fire
Friday, Feb. 21, 2014
A man accused of helping a pet store owner set her shop on fire, nearly killing 27 puppies, will wait until next week to argue for bail.
Lawyer says plea agreement close for ex-cop accused of theft
Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014
Attorneys were close to reaching a plea agreement in the case of a former Metro Police officer accused of using a department-issued gas card to fuel his mother’s car, his lawyer said today.
Lethal drug cocktail blamed in death of former prosecutor
Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014
A lethal but accidental combination of prescription drugs is to blame for the death of a former prosecutor late last year, the Clark County Coroner’s Office has ruled.
DA no longer naming sex-crime victims in court documents
Policy put in place as protection, assistant district attorney says
Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014
Prosecutors also will work to make sure victims’ names are not accidentally released by defense attorneys by asking a judge to file motions that list victims’ names under seal, according to a memo sent last week to the District Attorney’s Office’s criminal division.
Bail remains at $310K for business owner accused of arson in pet shop fire
Protesters keep up pressure for harsh penalties
Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014
A Las Vegas Township judge today refused to budge on bail for the woman accused of nearly killing 27 puppies during what authorities say was an arson fire last month at her pet shop.
Suspect indicted in holdup, beating of man in Circus Circus parking lot
Friday, Feb. 7, 2014
Two people suspected in at least two armed robberies in December, including one in the parking lot of a Strip casino, were indicted today.
Judge may force UMC to hire special master to secure evidence in suit alleging unpaid overtime
Friday, Feb. 7, 2014
University Medical Center, which continues to hemorrhage taxpayer funds, may have to hire a court-appointed lawyer if it cannot turn over evidence in a lawsuit over pay issues that could involve thousands of employees.
Additional charges filed in pet shop fire; warrant issued for alleged co-conspirator
Protesters march outside courthouse, demanding justice for 27 puppies
Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014
The legal net widened today in the case of a suspected arson fire last month at a Las Vegas pet shop, with prosecutors filing charges against an alleged co-conspirator.
Court approves pact designed to improve mental health services for county inmates deemed incompetent
Monday, Feb. 3, 2014
Southern Nevada is on its way to again having a facility for treating incompetent criminal defendants after a federal judge last week approved an agreement settling a lawsuit. The consent decree, approved Wednesday by U.S District Judge Miranda M. Du, outlines a plan with staggered goals to fix delays in providing treatment for criminal defendants who have been deemed incompetent by the court.
D.A. wants court to decide if Clark County judicial candidate is eligible to run for office
Friday, Jan. 31, 2014
The Clark County District Attorney’s Office has asked a judicial candidate to prove he’s qualified to seek election. The order comes after Clark County District Judge Michael Villani filed a challenge alleging his opponent for the Department 17 post, Ross Smillie, didn’t meet legal requirements to run for judge.
Indictments charge duo with multiple felonies in alleged carjacking, subsequent high-speed chase
Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014
Two men were indicted today, accused of carjacking a vehicle last month, leading police on a high-speed chase, ramming the stolen car into a patrol car and shooting at a police officer. Hugo Baldovinos, 21, and Roland Gabaldon, 17, are charged with more than a dozen felonies, many with deadly weapon enhancements, including robbery, assault, attempted murder, discharging a firearm out of a motor vehicle and grand larceny auto.
Suspect shot in December by Metro Police now under indictment
Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014
A man shot last month as Metro Police officers were trying to arrest him is now under indictment.
Judge delays sentencing for Saudi airman convicted in rape of teen
Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014
A Clark County judge today allowed a change in lawyers for the Saudi airman convicted of sexually assaulting a teenager on New Year’s Eve 2012 at a Las Vegas Strip casino.
2 arrested after Strip shooting plead not guilty
Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2014
A couple indicted following a Las Vegas Strip shooting that Metro Police said was the result of road rage pleaded not guilty today in Clark County District Court.
Former middle school coach accepts plea deal in lewdness case
Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014
A fired Las Vegas middle school teacher and coach accused of committing lewd acts has reached a plea agreement with Clark County prosecutors.
Grand jury indicts man accused of killing wife with vacuum cleaner
Friday, Jan. 17, 2014
A Clark County grand jury has indicted a man accused of fatally beating his wife with a vacuum cleaner. Anthony Tyron Mayo, 38, was indicted today on felony counts including murder, battery and coercion.
Trial scheduled for woman accused in fatal bar fight
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014
The woman accused in a fatal stabbing in November outside a Maryland Parkway bar pleaded not guilty today in Clark County District Court. Hearing Master Melisa De La Garza set a Sept. 8 trial date for Sarah Chavez, 22, Las Vegas, who is charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of Misty Madera, 30, outside Champagnes Cafe, 3557 S. Maryland Parkway
Fired Metro cop pleads not guilty to lewdness, indecent exposure
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014
A former Metro Police officer accused of sexually harassing two women while on the job pleaded not guilty this morning in Clark County District Court.
Hearing set for man accused of killing wife after she asked for divorce
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014
A man police allege stabbed his wife to death after she asked for a divorce will have his case reviewed by a judge next month to determine if there is enough evidence to send him to trial.