Accused Strip shooter could await trial in Clark County

Ammar Harris, who faces the death penalty in connection with a Strip shooting that left three people dead, could be returned to the Clark County Detention Center while he awaits trial.

But District Judge Kathleen Delaney said Wednesday that she would not order Harris moved from the Ely State Prison, where he is serving prison time on a separate sexual assault conviction, until attorneys nail down a date for the trial.

Defense attorney Robert Langford said he wants a psychologist to examine Harris to determine whether he should testify during the trial.

Harris, who appeared in court Wednesday shackled and wearing jail fatigues and security mittens with four Metro jailers and two Nevada Department of Corrections officers, faces three counts of murder for a February 2013 shooting and ensuing car crash on the Strip that left three people dead.

He was recently moved to Ely State Prison, the state’s highest security penitentiary after corrections officers reportedly found a phone in his cell at High Desert State Prison.

It’s unclear how Harris obtained the phone or whether Harris could face further charges for the phone in his prison cell.

The Nevada attorney general’s office, which would handle prosecution on a prisoner cellphone violation, has declined to comment on the allegation.

Prosecutors have said that Harris unsuccessfully tried to escape custody when he was extradited from Los Angeles after his arrest last year.

Asked Wednesday about the escape allegations, Langford said, “I keep hearing that. He did not try to escape.”

Harris was accused of shooting another reputed pimp, Kenneth “Kenny Clutch” Cherry Jr., as both drove separate vehicles on the Strip after a nightclub confrontation.

Cherry crashed his car into a taxi, which exploded on impact and killed driver Michael Boldon and his passenger, Sandra Sutton-Wasmund of Maple Valley, Wash.

Boldon’s brother, Tehran Boldon, attended Wednesday’s hearing, and said outside of court that he believes Harris should face the death penalty.

“I won’t see justice until he’s taken his last breath,” Boldon said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Contact reporter David Ferrara at 702-380-1039 or dferrara@reviewjournal.com. Find him on Twitter: @randompoker.