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A second Clark County District Court program has been selected by the National Association of Counties (NACo) for a 2006 Achievement Award. District Court’s Mental Health Court has been identified as an innovative and progressive specialty court allowing the community to divert offenders with mental illness, who are charged primarily with non-violent offenses, into treatment programs. Previously this month, the District Court was selected to receive a 2006 NACo Achievement Award for its eJuror system. Read more…

This morning Judge Jackie Glass heard arguments regarding the defendants request for a Writ of Habeas Corpus, which she denied. The trial date has been scheduled for January 22, 2007 in District Court Dept. 5.

William George Barney, who pled guilty to three counts of Lewdness with a Child under the Age of 14, appears before Judge Nancy Saitta Wednesday (July 19) for a status check regarding a court-ordered psychological-sexual evaluation. The psycho-sexual evaluation is required prior to sentencing.

Barney pled guilty through a Guilty Plea Agreement May 17, 2006.

A former scout leader, Barney was captured in Mexico following a tip provided to the FBI by a viewer of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Barney had avoided prosecution for five years.

Justice of the Peace Pro Tem Melanie Tobiasson ordered this morning that Michael Allgood should be evaluated by a District Court judge to determine if Allgood should be referred for a psychological evaluation. Judge Jackie Glass will consider the matter Aug. 8. If Judge Glass agrees Allgood should be evaluated, he will be remanded to Lakes Crossing in Sparks for testing.

Allgood faces five felony charges, including kidnapping, battery and assault with a deadly weapon stemming from an incident June 27 at McCarran International Airport. Allgood is accused of kidnapping a three-year-old boy during a stand-off with police.

The defendant’s motion for a Writ of Habeas Corpus was denied this morning by Judge Nancy Saitta. Kathy Patton has been charged with Murder with Use of a Deadly Weapon in the February 2006 death of five-month-old Christian Dircio. Patton’s trial has been scheduled for November 13, 2006.

News Release

The National Association of Counties has selected the Clark County District Court Jury Management System, e-Juror Web Module and Interactive Voice Response System for a 2006 Achievement Award. The court program was selected for its creativity and effectiveness in solving problems and providing excellent customer service. The award will be presented during the association’s annual conference August 6, 2006 in Chicago, Illinois.

“The eJuror system and the accompanying internet service has allowed the court to provide excellent service to those citizens we call upon to help us fill our courts with jurors,” said Jury Commissioner Judy Rowland. “The system allows jurors to quickly confirm or reschedule their jury service. We have seen it perform exceptionally well and reduce wait times, eliminate confusion and improve participation in jury service.” Read more…

16-year-old James Carter Junior asked for a speedy trial this morning after pleading not guilty to charges of Consipiracy to Commit Murder, Murder with Use of a Deadly Weapon, Conspiracy to Commit Robbery, Robbery with Use of a Deadly Weapon, Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping, and First Degree Kidnapping with Use of a Deadly Weapon. Carter is accused of murdering Kyle Staheli in the desert near Sunrise Mountain on May 10, 2006.

Carter will appear before District Court Judge Lee Gates September 6, 2006 for a calendar call to announce if he is ready for trial.

Defendant Mark Zana appeared with counsel this morning and announced he was selecting a new attorney to handle his defense. Attorney Thomas Pitaro substituted in as Zana’s new attorney and Judge Donald Mosley recused from the case. The case was sent to master calendar for reassignment to a different District Court judge.

A Clark County Grand Jury has indicted James Carter, Jr with the murder of Kyle Staheli. Carter will be arraigned July 12, 2006 on charges of Murder with Use of a Deadly Weapon, Conspiracy to Commit Robbery, Robbery with Use of a Deadly Weapon, Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping, First Degree Kidnapping with Use of a Deadly Weapon.

The case was assigned to District Court Judge Lee Gates, Dept. 8. Chief Judge Kathy Hardcastle issued a no bail bench warrant for Carter’s arrest. Carter will be arraigned at 9 a.m. July 12, 2006 in the Lower Level Arraignment courtroom.

Judge Kathy A. Hardcastle granted a motion this morning by Boulder City to keep a petition off the November ballot that would have sought approval from voters to sell 107,000 acres of vacant city land in the Eldorado Valley and divide the proceeds up among the residents of the city. Hardcastle ruled the Nevada Consitution does not allow individuals to convert public property for a private benefit.