Prosecutors likely to seek death in double killing

A Las Vegas prosecutor said Thursday there is "a substantial likelihood" he will seek the death penalty against a man charged in the execution-style slaying of two people.

Authorities said the Nov. 16 deaths of Jamel Colbert and Shelby Robinson were prompted by drug and prostitution deals gone awry.

In court Thursday, Marcial Manuel Casarez, 36, pleaded not guilty to murder with use of a deadly weapon, first-degree kidnapping, robbery with use of a deadly weapon and conspiracy to commit robbery in connection with the slayings.

His co-defendant, 24-year-old Sergio Davila, did not enter a plea because he had not yet been appointed an attorney. Chief Deputy District Attorney David Stanton, who said he was concerned about the safety of witnesses in the case, added that it was unlikely that prosecutors would seek the death penalty against Davila, who smiled and laughed during his brief court appearance.

After the hearing, Lois Hockersmith, mother of Colbert's 3-year-old son of the same name, told reporters she hoped Casarez would receive the death penalty.

Casarez, who also goes by "Crook," had made drug deals with Colbert, 32, before the killings and was going to sell him $200 worth of methamphetamine.

Colbert gave Robinson a black revolver and sent her to Casarez's apartment in the 2100 block of Sunrise Avenue, near 21st Street, according to police. "'Crook' became upset" when he found the gun in Robinson's purse and thought she was going to rob him, police said.

Colbert left his home in the 2100 block of Ballard Drive just before dark and arrived at Casarez's apartment shortly after he found the gun. Casarez gave the gun to Davila, who took Colbert and Robinson's money, phones and clothes.

Jose Luis "Brownie" Navarro told a Clark County grand jury earlier this month that he arrived at Casarez's apartment with keys to a car he believed belonged to Colbert and found a woman who lived with Casarez in the living room.

Navarro walked to the bedroom and spotted Colbert and Robinson sitting on a couch, while Casarez stood over the couple wielding a .22 caliber military-style rifle.

When Navarro handed the keys to Colbert, Casarez then started asked Navarro if he was "part of the setup."

"But at that point I didn't even know what the hell was going on," Navarro said.

Casarez ordered the trio to empty their pockets and smashed their cellphones. Casarez was on the phone with someone and kept saying "it's a wrap, it's a wrap," Navarro testified.

Navarro believed that meant Casarez was going to kill the three of them.

"At that point I wasn't doing anything, you know, by my own will," Navarro said. "It was more of either I did it or I was going to get shot."

Rifle in hand, Casarez led Colbert and Robinson outside at gunpoint, forced them into a tan-colored 2005 Hyundai Elantra and ordered Navarro to drive to the alley behind the Ballard home.

Navarro testified that Casarez made Colbert sit in the passenger seat and Robinson in the back.

Casarez shot Robinson "at least 10 times" in the back seat, turned the rifle on Colbert in the passenger seat and fire multiple rounds through the window, according to police.

"As I'm walking away from the vehicle I could hear Shelby screaming, you know, like she was scared," Navarro said. He started to run after he heard a gunshot and saw Casarez aiming the gun on Colbert. "I was just trying to get away as fast as possible because I know that I would possibly be the next victim."

Contact David Ferrara at dferrara@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039. Find him on Twitter: @randompoker

Contact Kimber Laux at klaux@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0381. Find her on Twitter: @lauxkimber