Death sentence upheld for man who killed Las Vegas woman

CARSON CITY - A Vietnam War veteran who was honored for bravery, but developed post-traumatic stress disorder after leaving the military, should be executed for raping and killing a 69-year-old Las Vegas woman.

Nevada Supreme Court justices upheld that 2008 jury decision sentencing Frederick Mendoza to death for stabbing Rita Kremberg 18 times with a steak knife.

In the decision, made Wednesday, the court said the jury reviewed the mitigating circumstances that Mendoza said caused him to kill, but found they were outweighed by the nature of the crime. Mendoza had admitted his guilt and apologized for the crime at the time the case went to trial.

Justices said Mendoza's lawyers made a "credible case" for a lesser sentence, but the "death sentence was not excessive considering the crime" and a 1978 conviction he received for battery with the intent to rape.

Mendoza, now 65, enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1967 and served a one-year tour of duty in Vietnam. He participated in long-range jungle patrols and was attacked several times. He received the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry for bravery and the Combat Operation Ribbon.

But after service, Mendoza began to drink heavily, had nightmares, got in bar fights and began using methamphetamine. According to the decision, he attempted suicide twice, was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and was granted a 100 percent service disability.

At the trial, family members described Kremberg as a "kind and very good soul," who was generous, caring and compassionate. She loved to listen to jazz and care for her dog.

Both Kremberg and Mendoza lived at Destination Senior Living Center in Spring Valley. On March 3, 2007, she was found dead in her apartment, naked from the waist down and with numerous stab wounds.

Mendoza initially denied knowing her. But his fingerprints were found on a bottle of brandy in her apartment and his DNA was discovered under her fingernails and in her pubic area. There was evidence she had tried to fight off her attacker.

Mendoza, who is 6-foot-4 and weighs 240 pounds, is housed on Death Row in the Ely State Prison. Nevada has not executed an inmate since 2006. Eleven of the last 12 inmates executed went to the lethal injection chamber voluntarily as they had rights to make additional court challenges.

Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901.