Nevada

Halverson’s Husband Gets 3 to 10, Claims Frying Pan Used in Self-Defense

The husband of embattled former Nevada judge Elizabeth Halverson was sentenced yesterday for three to 10 years for beating her with a cast-iron frying pan in September at their Las Vegas home. Under an agreement in which the government dropped an attempted murder charge, Edward Halverson, 49, took an Alford…

Jan 15, 2009 9:48 PM CST

Atheist Threatens Suit Over Las Vegas Wedding-Clergy Rule

Outraged to discover that Las Vegas only licenses officiants with religious affiliations, a self-avowed atheist is threatening to sue if Nevada state legislators won’t change the law to allow him to officiate. Michael Jacobson, 64, refused to say that he was anything other than an atheist, and he hence was…

Dec 15, 2008 10:27 PM CST

OJ Simpson Sentenced in ‘Two-Tiered’ Nevada System

Near tears and apologetic, O.J. Simpson was sentenced to at least nine years for his role in an armed robbery last year that was part of a botched attempt to retrieve sports memorabilia, the Las Vegas Review Journal reports. “I stand before you today sorry,” an emotional Simpson told Judge…

Dec 5, 2008 6:30 PM CST

‘On the Prowl’ Vegas Judge Removed for Sexual Improprieties, Racial Slurs

A Las Vegas judge has been kicked off the bench for sexual improprieties and improper remarks that included racial slurs. Judge Nicholas Del Vecchio initially was accused of sexually harassing his stepdaughter, beginning when she was about 14 years old and continuing when she was a court employee. Del Vecchio…

Oct 23, 2008 4:30 PM CDT

Despite S&L Debacle Decades Ago, Most Hard-Hit States Didn’t Amp Up Regulation

Despite the savings and loan meltdown that hit the country some 20 years ago, many states at the center of that maelstrom apparently didn’t learn the obvious lesson: Regulation is needed to keep dubious mortgage lending practices in check. Now, many of the same states that suffered the most from…

Oct 8, 2008 5:44 PM CDT

O.J. Simpson Appeal to Target Jury Selection

O.J. Simpson, convicted of kidnapping and armed robbery late Friday, has some strong arguments for his planned appeal, according to his lawyer. Yale Galanter told the Associated Press that his client is being isolated from other prisoners for his own safety in a county jail where he will be held…

Oct 6, 2008 10:43 AM CDT

O.J. Simpson Jurors Could Get Case by Week’s End

The defense is expected to present its case on Wednesday in O.J. Simpson’s armed robbery trial, and jurors could begin deliberations by the end of the week. Prosecutors are trying to establish that Simpson knew his associates drew their guns in the September encounter with two sports memorabilia dealers in…

Sep 30, 2008 5:39 PM CDT

Suspended Nevada Judge Still Hospitalized

More than a week after her husband allegedly beat her with a cast-iron frying pan, a suspended Nevada judge reportedly remains hospitalized. However, the swelling in her right eye is going down, so District Judge Elizabeth Halverson can open it a bit, and she is starting rehab, her friend Bobbi…

Sep 15, 2008 6:28 PM CDT

All-White Jury to Decide O.J. Simpson Case

A jury of 10 whites and two Hispanics will decide whether to convict O.J. Simpson of robbery and kidnapping charges, prompting objections from defense lawyers. Simpson’s lawyers fought to keep two black women on the panel and charged that the prosecutor’s use of peremptory challenges to exclude them violated the…

Sep 12, 2008 11:49 AM CDT

Simpson Judge Refuses to Dismiss Jury Pool Over Murder Trial Comment

A Las Vegas judge refused a defense motion to dismiss 27 potential jurors in the armed robbery trial of O.J. Simpson because one possible juror made an angry comment about the football star’s murder acquittal in the death of his ex-wife. The potential juror “blurted out a comment that stunned…

Sep 11, 2008 2:44 PM CDT

Prospective Jurors in O.J. Simpson Trial Lectured by Judge

Prospective jurors in the upcoming Las Vegas armed robbery and kidnapping trial of football great O.J. Simpson have quite a bit they’re not supposed to be thinking about. That includes not only his celebrity status but his acquittal at trial nearly 13 years ago on charges that he murdered his…

Sep 9, 2008 3:51 PM CDT

Embattled Nev. Judge Recovering from Alleged Frying Pan Beating

A controversial Nevada judge is reportedly recovering from injuries she sustained in an incident late Thursday at her Las Vegas home, following surgery for skull fractures on Friday. The condition of suspended District Judge Elizabeth Halverson, 50, whose 49-year-old husband is accused of beating her with a frying pan, has…

Sep 8, 2008 3:39 PM CDT

Embattled Nev. Judge Hospitalized, Husband Charged With Attempted Murder

Updated: A controversial Nevada judge who has been suspended from the bench is in the hospital with a severe head injury, and her husband has been charged with attempted murder after an incident at their Las Vegas home last night. Edward Halverson, 49, who has a lengthy criminal record, is…

Sep 5, 2008 7:37 PM CDT

Bad Real Estate Market a Big Issue in Celebrity Divorces

A declining real estate market is making it harder for divorcing celebrities to reach agreement on the division of their assets. In Florida, the former professional wrestler known as Hulk Hogan is in a bitter court battle with his soon-to-be ex-wife over whether he must go through with the couple’s…

Aug 13, 2008 5:15 PM CDT

Embattled Las Vegas Judge Loses Election

Suspended Las Vegas Judge Elizabeth Halverson, currently battling disciplinary charges, won’t be returning to the bench. But it wasn’t disciplinary officials who ousted her. Halverson received just 10 percent of the vote in a three-way primary yesterday, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. Halverson is accused of falling asleep during trials,…

Aug 13, 2008 2:45 PM CDT