17-year-old faces trial as adult

CARSON CITY -- A teenager charged in the attack on a Nevada Department of Public Safety officer in Carson City will be tried as an adult.

Raymond Nattrass, 17, is being held in the Carson City Jail on suspicion of felony principal to attempted murder and battery on a peace officer.

Under state law, Nattrass was automatically certified as an adult because attempted murder is not considered a delinquent act.

Nattrass, his 21-year-old brother, William, and 28-year-old friend, Vivian Leman, were arrested after Wednesday's attack on department Capt. P.K. O'Neill.

O'Neill said he drew his revolver after he went outside his office to break up a dispute between the three and one of the brothers acted as if he was going to pull out a weapon.

After he began moving away from them, he said, the three jumped him and wrestled the weapon away.

Raymond Nattrass is accused of kicking and punching the officer, while his brother is accused of taking the gun and trying to shoot him. It was later determined the gun did not fire because its safety was on.

William Nattrass was charged with felony attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and battery on a peace officer.

Leman, who was accused of punching O'Neill in the face, was charged with accessory to attempted murder.

A preliminary hearing for all three is set for Nov. 28.

O'Neill returned to work the following day "like nothing ever happened. We're very proud of him," department Director Phil Galeoto said.