Claw-hammer killing suspect pleads not guilty in unrelated case
A 22-year-old man accused of the brutal slayings and sexual assaults of a mother and daughter pleaded not guilty to unrelated domestic violence charges.
Bryan Clay faces two counts of child abuse and neglect and one count of robbery in the assault, on at least two occasions in February and March, of his 16-year-old ex-girlfriend, who is pregnant with his child. Clay was indicted on the felony counts earlier this month.
Prosecutors asked for a speedy trial in the case, and District Judge James Bixler agreed, setting a trial date of Aug. 27. Clay's defense attorney, Kevin Leik, objected to the move, but to no avail.
Arturo Martinez, the husband of Ignacia "Yadira" Martinez, 38, and father of Karla Martinez, 10, who were both killed April 15, was in court for the brief hearing.
Arturo Martinez's shaved head bore two giant holes where authorities said Clay struck him with a claw hammer before attacking his wife and daughter.
He declined to comment after the hearing.
Police allege that Clay, while drunk and high on drugs, sexually assaulted a 50-year-old woman near the intersection of Vegas and Tonopah drives and then went to the Martinez home at 1016 Robin St.
Clay is being held on $90,000 bail in the domestic violence case. He remained jailed at the Clark County Detention Center without bail on the murder charges.
Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@review journal.com or 702-380-1039.
