Sunday, April 10, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

WEEK IN REVIEW: Psychiatrist: Ex-kicker saw illusionists as threat

Former professional football kicker Cole Ford, accused of firing shots into the Jungle Palace home of Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn, believed the illusionists posed a threat to the world.

According to a psychiatric evaluation report, Ford came to Las Vegas about three years ago to pursue an ultimately unsuccessful lawsuit that claimed sports books exploited athletes.

While in Las Vegas, he also "went to local events to continue with his search for a reality that made sense to him," psychiatrist Norton Roitman wrote.

"While watching Siegfried and Roy, he had a sudden realization that what was wrong with the world was linked to the illusionists' treatment, dominance and unhealthy intimacy he saw them having with their animals," the report states. "He saw their illusions as their power to distort and change reality. He felt they threatened (the) world, and he began trying to figure out how he could stop them."

Ford also drew a connection between the magicians and his father, who killed the family's 28-year-old horse while Ford was in college. Ford was close to the horse and viewed the killing as sadistic and part of a global conspiracy, the report states.

The report states Ford developed a belief in a global conspiracy involving his father, the famed magicians and the spread of disease.

Roitman performed the evaluation on Nov. 10, a week after Ford was arrested and charged with firing several shotgun blasts at the Jungle Palace home of the magical duo in September.

Ford told the psychiatrist he never intended to harm anyone and that his actions were enough to "warn the world of the illusionists' unhealthy danger to them and to animals," the report stated.

In his report, Roitman said Ford was not a paranoid schizophrenic but had shown symptoms of the illness.

Ford, 32, has been ruled incompetent and sent to a mental health facility in Sparks. He could stand trial if doctors ever find him to be competent.

In his report Roitman described Ford as warm and likable, but he also recognized the potential for danger.

"At the time of this examination, Mr. Ford did not constitute a danger to himself or others," Roitman wrote. "An argument can be made, however, for grave disability that could again lead to dangerousness."

MONDAY

Caesars' workers file federal lawsuit

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has filed a federal lawsuit against Caesars Palace, claiming six of the casino's female kitchen workers were sexually harassed by supervisors and the hotel's management retaliated against the employees for complaining. A hotel spokesman said the allegations are without merit. The lawsuit comes as Caesars Entertainment is being purchased by Harrah's Entertainment for $9.4 billion. The deal awaits approval from federal and state regulators.

TUESDAY

Polls slow during primary election

Steve Ross and Mary Gillins were the top vote-getters in the Las Vegas City Council Ward 6 primary. They will meet in the June 7 general election, with the winner replacing incumbent Michael Mack. In Henderson, Mayor Jim Gibson trounced two opponents to earn a third term. Voter turnout was in the single digits throughout the valley. "This has been the slowest election I've ever worked," said Jose Ornelas, a poll worker in Clark County for eight years.

WEDNESDAY

Land trades prompt change by county

Clark County commissioners stripped the aviation department of its authority to manage publicly owned land. The move follows a series of Review-Journal articles documenting airport land trades that might have shortchanged the public. In the future, county-held land will be disposed of only through public auction.

THURSDAY

Wendy's chili saga shifts to Las Vegas

The investigation into a report of a human finger found in a bowl of Wendy's chili pointed toward Las Vegas. Police searched the home of Anna Ayala, who said she bit into the 1 1/2-inch-long fingertip in California on March 22. Ayala said there was no truth to one report that the finger belonged to a dead relative. "That was our only crime, stopping at that place," Ayala said of Wendy's. "I wish I never ever had stopped there."

FRIDAY

Three won't testify on Yucca e-mails

The Interior Department will not compel three scientists to testify at a House subcommittee investigating controversial e-mails that mention falsifying Yucca Mountain documents. U.S. Rep. Jon Porter, who chairs the panel, said he had hoped the witnesses would appear voluntarily, but added his staff also "has been working hand in hand with the Department of Justice" to explore other options that could include offers of immunity.

COMPILED BY PETER O'CONNELL

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