Las Vegas man gets five years’ probation for arranging hit on his son

A 50-year-old Las Vegas man who authorities said plotted to have his son killed in a sordid affair involving an insurance fraud scam and love triangle with his son and ex-wife was sentenced Wednesday to a maximum five years of probation.

Keith Harriman pleaded guilty via an Alford plea in June to one count of attempted murder with a deadly weapon for arranging a hit on son Dominick Harriman in 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.

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.

In an unusual move, District Judge David Barker had prosecutors put on the record why they cut the deal with Keith Harriman.

Prosecutor Nell Christensen said that their case was "completely circumstantial." He added, "From our perspective, it was valuable to get a plea of this kind."

Barker said he understood that meant it was more valuable to have Keith Harriman on probation than for him to face a possible acquittal by a jury.

Christensen said the victim was consulted about the deal.

Dominick Harriman attended the hearing but decided not to speak during the proceeding.

Keith Harriman's defense attorney, Josh Tomsheck, said his client has "vehemently maintained his innocence."

Tomsheck said Keith Harriman took the deal because of the fear he might be convicted and sentenced to a lengthy prison sentence despite his innocence.

The defense attorney called the plea deal a fair negotiation, though unusual.

Keith Harriman said, "It's a tragic thing that happened to my son" but added, "I did nothing wrong."

While he doesn't want to go to prison at age 50, Keith Harriman said, there were other reasons to take the deal, including not wanting to "drag his family through the mud."

"As a father I should possibly just let this go," he said.

He insisted he would successfully complete his probation, saying he already has been on house arrest and under intense supervision while he has been out on bond in the case.

Barker ordered Harriman to spend six months on house arrest as part of his probation, pay $32,000 in restitution, have no contact with the victim and perform 16 hours of community service a month unless he has a full-time job.

After the hearing, Dominick Harriman, wearing sunglasses, quickly left the courtroom and took the stairs to exit the Regional Justice Center. His father took the elevator.

At a preliminary hearing in February 2011, Dominick Harriman testified that 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.

The case has had several bizarre twists, including that Harriman was able to post a $500,000 bond with help from mixed martial arts fighter Tito Ortiz.

Ortiz, a former Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight champion, 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@review
journal.com or 702-380-1039.