Man gets lengthy prison term for assault, robbery of professional poker player

A Las Vegas judge slapped a 34-year-old Californian with a 30-year to life prison sentence for robbing and assaulting a professional poker player at a Primm resort in 2010.

Edmond Price in May was found guilty of one count each of robbery, false imprisonment and battery with use of a deadly weapon and two counts of conspiracy, following a nine-day trial and eight hours of deliberations by a jury. Price was acquitted of one count of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

Prosecutors on Thursday asked Judge James Bixler to declare Price a habitual criminal and sentence him to a life prison term. Price was already considered a habitual criminal in California and was awaiting his trial here before he could finish serving a 10-year prison term in his home state.

Prosecutor Shanon Clowers said it was offensive that Price would come to Nevada to prey on citizens here after he was already labeled a habitual criminal in California.

Clowers successfully requested Price’s Nevada prison sentence run consecutive to his California sentence.

In all, Price won’t be eligible for parole until he serves at least 40 years in prison between the two states.

At the trial, Ron “The Duke of Fremont” Wall testified he was at Whiskey Pete’s carrying $137,000 in cash to buy gold and silver.

Wall entered a hotel room to view the precious metals and was attacked by a man and a woman, who bludgeoned him with items in the room, including a toilet tank cover, a lamp and an iron. Wall also was stabbed.

Wall suffered several injuries in the attack. His ribs, cheek bones and nose were broken. Both of his hands had defensive stab wounds and were fractured. He suffered a concussion and several cuts to his head.

Price, of San Luis Obispo, Calif., was arrested on June 29, 2010, in California for outstanding warrants and extradited to Nevada to stand trial in Las Vegas.

At the time of his arrest, Price was with his girlfriend, Victoria Elizabeth Edelman.

Wall was able to pick both Price and Edelman out of photo lineups.

Edelman, who was indicted on similar charges, cut a deal with prosecutors and testified against Price in May. As part of the deal, Edelman pleaded guilty to a kidnapping charge in federal court. She faces a up to 12 years in a federal prison. A sentencing hearing is set for Oct. 8.

Last week, Wall, a flashy character in his own right, testified at Price’s sentencing hearing dressed like a 1920s prohibition-era gangster. Wall called him a danger and menace to society. He asked the judge to hand down a lengthy prison term “because of the horrendous, savage and barbaric crimes he committed against me.”

He added, “I believe through the grace of God I physically and emotionally survived this heinous act and consider every moment since then a blessing.”

On Tuesday, Wall described the lengthy criminal case as a “three-year odyssey” that he was happy to have over.

“God bless Judge Bixler for his wisdom. He’s a hero in my book,” Wall said.

Meanwhile, Price remained held at the Clark County Detention Center awaiting to be transported back to California to serve his decade-long prison sentence there.

Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@review journal.com or 702-380-1039.