IN BRIEF

DECOMPOSED BODY FOUND

Coroner finds woman died of strangulation

A severely decomposed body found Wednesday near a road leading to Lee Canyon was that of a 52-year-old woman, the Clark County coroner's office has determined.

Maria Elaina Marino, hometown unknown, was killed by strangulation, the coroner's office found.

Her body was discovered by a motorcyclist who called 911 about 1 p.m. Wednesday, Las Vegas police said. The body was found in a ravine near state Route 156, mile marker 12.

10-YEAR SENTENCE

Teen pleads guilty to second-degree murder

A 10-year prison term has been imposed on a Golden Valley, Ariz., teenager who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. The sentence for Cody Simons, 15, was the lightest punishment possible under terms of the plea agreement.

Mohave County Superior Court Judge Steve Conn said Simons was far less involved than was codefendant Travis Smith, 18, in the May 2007 shooting death of Mark Hall, 60. Smith already is serving a 20-year prison term through a previous plea agreement.

Confessions by both defendants indicated the violence was partly motivated over anger about the sex for pay relationship between Hall and Smith.

PARENTAL DUTIES ISSUE

11-year-old accused in stabbing; mother cited

A Reno mother of four has been issued a citation after police said she stood by while her 11-year-old daughter stabbed a female classmate outside her home.

Dora Campos, 32, was cited on suspicion of failing to carry out her duties as a parent after the incident Wednesday.

Her daughter was placed in a juvenile detention center on suspicion of battery with a deadly weapon, while her other three children were placed in foster care.

The victim was treated at a Reno hospital for superficial cuts to her back and arm after being stabbed five times.

Police allege Campos was aware the girls were fighting but did nothing to stop them.

Campos told police that she did not know her daughter had a knife.