Justices uphold conviction in slaying, dismemberment

CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court has upheld a Las Vegas chef's conviction for his role in the killing and dismemberment of a man whose remains were found in suitcases in two trash bins.

The high court upheld the conviction though agreeing with Richard William Peters that his admission to police of his role in the murder of Allan Nidiffer in 2003 violated his right to have a lawyer present and should not have been admitted at his trial.

Justices said the error in admitting Peters' statements to police is not prejudicial because his testimony at his trial is "substantially in accordance" with the earlier admissions. Peters was sentenced to a no-parole life term in prison.

Trial testimony included Peters' description of how he cut up Nidiffer's body. The victim's head was never found.

Prosecutors said the killing could have been the result of a bad drug deal. Police investigators said Peters stated that he acted out of fear of Wayne Dearion, who also was convicted in the case. Dearion said he was fearful of Peters.

Investigators said that Peters admitted to punching Nidiffer after a confrontation the night before the slaying and that he had given Nidiffer money to buy drugs.