Charges dismissed against two in killings
Nevada Briefs
Review - Journal
A judge dismissed charges Wednesday against two of five defendants arrested in the Feb. 20 slayings of two men.
At the close of a three-day preliminary hearing, Justice of the Peace Douglas Smith found sufficient evidence to send the cases of the three other defendants on to District Court for arraignment. Charged with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder are Christian Jose Angulo, 19; Matthew Cumplido, 15; and Gustavo Aranda Cumplido, 38.
Smith dismissed identical charges that had been filed against Byron Jose Angulo, 15, and Peter Miguel Cumplido, 18.
Special Public Defender Pete LaPorta, who represents Byron Angulo, and attorney Robert Draskovich, who represents Peter Cumplido, had argued there wasn't sufficient evidence for their clients' cases to proceed to District Court.
"He was a victim of circumstances," Draskovich said of his client.
"There was absolutely no testimony he (Byron Angulo) did anything making him criminally responsible," LaPorta said.
Carlos Lopez and Elroy Nunez were shot to death while traveling in a pickup near the intersection of Pecos Road and Stewart Avenue.
Efrain Hernandez, who was in that truck and was not injured, testified that another pickup pulled in front of them near the intersection. He said some people in the other vehicle then opened fire.
Hernandez testified the attack was unprovoked. However, defense witnesses testified the Cumplido family had been the target of a series of threatening incidents.
Peter and Matthew Cumplido are sons of Gustavo Cumplido. Byron and Christian Angulo are nephews of Gustavo Cumplido.
