Father could get probation in plot to kill son under plea deal
A Las Vegas man charged with plotting to have his son killed in a sordid affair involving an insurance fraud scam and love triangle with his son and former wife has taken a plea deal that could net him probation.
Keith Harriman pleaded guilty via an Alford plea last week to one count of attempted murder with use of a deadly weapon for arranging a hit on son Dominick Harriman on August 2010.
The Alford plea means Keith Harriman didn't admit guilt but acknowledged prosecutors could prove their case against him.
As part of the deal, prosecutors agreed to drop 11 other felony counts against Harriman.
A sentencing hearing was set for Oct. 10 before District Judge David Barker. Harriman faces probation or three to 40 years in prison.
Authorities said Dominick Harriman was shot at least nine times Aug. 27, 2010, at the used car dealership Nice Cars of Nevada, 3401 S. Decatur Blvd., where he worked for his uncle, Wayne Harriman. The shooter was not identified.
At a preliminary hearing in February 2011, Dominick Harriman testified his father wanted him dead because he told insurance fraud investigators that his father's $160,000 burglary loss claim was a scam to feed a crack cocaine addiction.
Dominick Harriman also said his father was angry because he had slept with both his dad's ex-girlfriend and his ex-wife.
"He said, 'You're gonna pay for this. You're gonna pay for what you did,' " the son testified.
Keith Harriman's defense had included the fact that his son's sordid past and criminal history were motives for a hit.
Since agreeing to the deal, lawyers in the case have been mum. Prosecutors and Keith Harriman's defense attorney, Josh Tomsheck, have declined to comment.
The case has had several bizarre twists, including that Harriman was able to post $500,000 bond last year thanks to help from mixed martial arts fighter Tito Ortiz.
Ortiz, a former Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight champion, apparently has a relationship with Wayne Harriman.
According to published reports, Wayne Harriman helped bridge a rift between Ortiz and UFC Chairman Dana White that led to a six-fight contract.
Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@
reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.
