Court briefs for June 1, 2001
Las Vegas Sun
A mistrial was declared Thursday in the trial of a Las Vegas man accused of sexually assaulting a mentally disabled woman and hiring a hitman to kill her.
Defense attorney Robert Draskovich said he asked for a mistrial after the jurors heard potentially damaging information about his client -- information which he argued should have been discussed prior to trial.
The alleged victim's mother testified that marijuana was found in John Bowyer's home, and the jurors learned from prosecutors that Bowyer's brother was going to refuse to testify from the stand, Draskovich said.
Bowyer faces three counts of sexual assault, one count of solicitation to commit murder and one count of kidnapping in connection with a December 2000 incident involving a 20-year-old woman who has the mental capacity of an 11-year-old.
If convicted, Bowyer could face multiple life terms.
District Judge Sally Loehrer scheduled Bowyer's new trial for Monday.
