Las Vegas man accused of stabbing mother’s roommate held without bail
A man accused of fatally stabbing his mother’s roommate faced a judge Tuesday and was held without bail.
Mason Mireles, 34, was arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department after authorities received a report of a stabbing around 5:40 p.m. Saturday at an apartment in the 6900 block of Dunsbach Way.
The victim was identified by the Clark County coroner’s office as Jodi Grotts, 59.
Mireles appeared in front of Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Amy Chelini under heavy security: He had mitts on his hands, was surrounded by multiple officers and was led into the courtroom when his case was called, instead of being seated with other inmates in custody to wait for his hearing.
Chief Deputy Public Defender Anna Clark did not make a bail argument, and Chelini said Mireles would continue to be held without bail.
In his arrest report, police said that Mireles was visiting his mother’s apartment when the killing happened. He briefly left for an apartment across the street and “came back with some weed,” according to an interview the mother, identified as Melody Mireles, gave police.
Hours later, when Melody Mireles and Grotts were in the kitchen trying to find a fallen bug, Mason Mireles came out of the bathroom, holding a knife, and yelling at Grotts “like a raging lunatic,” the report said.
“Mason said, ‘It’s all her fault,’ and before Melody could react, Mason reached behind her and stabbed (the victim) in the right side of her neck,” the arrest report said. “Melody tried to push Mason away, but the next time she saw the knife, it had blood on it.”
Police have said that Mason Mireles stabbed Grotts repeatedly. According to the arrest report, Grotts had at least five “sharp force injuries” to various parts of her body when officers found her.
When Mireles was arrested, police found a hatchet and a 10-inch blade near his waistband, the report said. Questioned by detectives, he denied killing Grotts and said he was at a friend’s apartment when the stabbing happened. The report showed, however, that when police tried to corroborate Mireles’ alibi and went to the residence, it was vacant.
His preliminary hearing is set for June 18.
Contact Noble Brigham at nbrigham@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BrighamNoble on X. Staff writer Akiya Dillon also contributed to this report. Contact Akiya Dillon at adillon@reviewjournal.com.