Las Vegas woman pleads guilty to killing roommate

A 28-year-old woman pleaded guilty but mentally ill to first-degree murder this week in connection with the shooting death of her roommate.

Mary Pitrello is expected to receive a sentence of 20 years to life in prison for the September 2013 slaying of 38-year-old Oliver Doppert at his apartment at 9050 Warm Springs Road, near El Capitan Way, according to court records.

Pitrello's lawyers are expected to provide documentation of her mental illness at a March hearing, according to Deputy Public Defender Christy Craig.

Doppert's girlfriend, Nicole Guess, told authorities that he called her the night of Sept. 12, 2013, moments before being shot, and said Pitrello was angry because he took away Pitrello's car keys. He didn't want Pitrello to drive after she had been drinking, Guess said.

Guess, a Henderson police officer, then heard a muffled boom. She said Doppert "took maybe four or five more breaths and then it went so quiet," she said.

Pitrello left the home in Doppert's car with a friend and fled to the Stratosphere, police said. Pitrello was arrested at a casino bar.

According to a police report, Pitrello told police she killed Doppert because he raped her about a week earlier in their apartment.

Investigators were skeptical of Pitrello's allegation because she hadn't reported the rape and continued to live with Doppert.

As part of her plea agreement, Pitrello must be separated from the general population while in prison until officials determine she no longer requires acute mental health care. If she is released to the general population, she would continue to receive treatment for mental illness.

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