Man admits role in Metro officer’s slaying
A 25-year-old man, the last of four to admit his role in the fatal shooting of Metro officer Trevor Nettleton nearly six years ago, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder Wednesday.
Nettleton had just returned to his North Las Vegas home on Nov. 19, 2009, from his late shift at the Bolden Area Command when he was gunned down.
Saul Williams' plea came just after the confessed gunman, Prentice Marshall, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Williams faces the possibility of a similar sentence, yet when he appeared before District Judge Jessie Walsh, who will decide his fate in November, Williams did not appear ready to divulge what happened when Nettleton was slain.
"Mr. Williams, what did you do on Nov. 19, 2009?" the judge asked.
"I conspired with some guys to do a robbery," he said.
"And what else?"
His lawyer, Danny Silverstein, nodded, suggesting that he tell the rest of the story.
"The robbery went bad," Williams said. "And someone got killed."
The group had approached Nettleton's home, with Marshall carrying a Glock semi-automatic pistol. A firefight ensued in the garage. Nettleton's 2-year-old son, Tanner, and 2-month-old daughter, Quinn, along with his wife, Danielle, and mother, Deborah Austern, were inside the home.
Police at the time described the crime as a random robbery attempt.
Marshall, who faced the death penalty, pleaded guilty in June to murder and robbery charges. He admitted to each of the eight counts alleged, including first-degree murder, robbery and burglary in connection with the killing.
Prosecutors dropped robbery and burglary charges against Williams. They have said that Williams, Marshall and two others — Quadrae Scott and Adrian Pena — were driving around with criminal intentions when they saw an open garage door at Nettleton's North Las Vegas home.
Borthers Emmitt and Michael Ferguson, who lived in the same house with Williams, pleaded guilty in 2011 to felony accessory to murder for hiding the murder weapon in their attic.
Scott pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in 2012, and Pena later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, robbery and attempted robbery.
Contact reporter David Ferrara at dferrara@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039. Find him on Twitter: @randompoker.
