Public defender for slaying suspect calls for court restrictions on media

A lawyer for slaying suspect Nathan Burkett argued Thursday for court restrictions on the media because of articles written by the Las Vegas Review-Journal and videos posted by the Metropolitan Police Department.

Burkett, 65, is charged with murder in the killings of two Las Vegas women and has been convicted of manslaughter in the deaths of two other women.

Police extradited Burkett from Mississippi earlier this month and have called him a serial killer.

Public defender Alzora Jackson said police and the media have "vilified" her client. She cited a YouTube video created by Las Vegas police in which homicide Lt. Ray Steiber called Burkett an "animal." She said his statements violated a Nevada law that prevents law enforcement officials from condemning a suspect before a conviction.

"There is a substantial likelihood that calling Burkett and (sic) 'animal' or 'serial killer' will heighten public condemnation of him," the motion said.

Jackson submitted the YouTube videos as part of her motion. The motion also a cited a Review-Journal article that published quotes from Steiber's news conference.

"Mr. Burkett is a serial killer," Steiber said Aug. 7. "He hasn't committed one homicide in Las Vegas, not two, but we know he's at least committed three."

"I'm concerned with the defense of my client," Jackson said after the hearing. "He needs a fair trial."

Justice of the Peace Eric Goodman said he will rule on the motion at a hearing this morning and give the Review-Journal and police a chance to respond.

Goodman said he was reluctant to approve Jackson's motion, however.

"This is still America, and we still have First Amendment rights," he said. "I'm not inclined to limit the press in any way in this case or any other."

Las Vegas police took the video down Thursday in response to the motion.

"The motion hasn't been granted, but we have taken it down on our own," said officer Jose Hernandez, a spokesman. "We put out the video and believe it served its purpose."

The newspaper's general counsel, Mark Hinueber, said, "The Review-Journal will appear in court Friday to oppose any restraints on publication."

Clark County prosecutor Mark DiGiacomo told Goodman he had not reviewed the motion, but the police statements were made before the district attorney's office became involved.

Police said they have forensic evidence linking Burkett to the killings of 22-year-old Barbara Ann Cox on April 22, 1978, and 27-year-old Tina Gayle Mitchell on Feb. 20, 1994.

In 2003, Burkett was convicted of voluntary manslaughter for the 2002 death of a 41-year-old woman in Las Vegas, Valetter Jean Bousley. He served six years in prison in that case.

He also faced capital murder charges in Pearl River County, Miss., in the early 1980s.

On Aug. 10, 1983, Burkett was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Records show he was scheduled to be released in 1992.

A Mississippi official said the victim in the case was Burkett's mother, who was burned to death.

Mississippi authorities were investigating Burkett in connection with an unsolved 1980 slaying. Officials told the Review-Journal last week there were indications the killing matched Burkett's acts in other deaths, but more details were not available.

Las Vegas police arrested Burkett on July 18 with assistance from Picayune police and an agent with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation.

Steiber said that Burkett is being investigated for other unsolved homicides in the valley.

A preliminary hearing was set for Oct. 5.