33-year-old convicted of lesser charge

The man accused of killing an employee of the all-nude Palomino Club was acquitted of first-degree murder charges but was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder.

The jury found 33-year-old Kenneth Counts not guilty of murdering Timothy Hadland, who was killed on May 19, 2005. The decision was reached Friday night.

"I thought we had an excellent jury that took the time to look at the evidence," said Bret Whipple, Counts' attorney. Counts also was represented by Kristina Wildeveld.

Prosecutor Giancarlo Pesci declined to comment on the verdict because the case is ongoing.

Authorities also have charged Deangelo Carroll, Luis Hidalgo III and Anabel Espindola in connection with Hadland's slaying.

Hadland, 44, was found shot to death on an isolated road near Lake Mead. Authorities said Hadland was killed because he bad-mouthed the Palomino Club and its owner to cabdrivers, thus making the club lose revenue.