IN BRIEF

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Trial delayed for man accused in death of model in 2007

The trial for the man accused of fatally shooting a model behind a local 7-Eleven in 2007 was delayed after attorneys from the public defender's office realized they had a conflict of interest in the case.

David Thomson was set to stand trial in the shooting death of Rachael Gandal on Monday.

Authorities allege Thomson arranged a meeting with Gandal on Dec. 6, 2007, behind a 7-Eleven at Flamingo Road and Rainbow Boulevard under the guise of buying cocaine. Authorities believe Thomson wanted to exact revenge over a dispute stemming from a property he rented to Gandal.

As a result of the conflict -- the public defender's office represented one of the witnesses they wanted to call in Thomson's defense -- a new attorney will be assigned to represent Thomson and a new trial date set.

CLARK COUNTY

Janison, Edwards re-elected to School Board offices

Clark County School Board President Terri Janison and School Board Vice President Carolyn Edwards were unanimously re-elected to their board offices on Wednesday.

School Board member Linda Young was elected board clerk, succeeding Sheila Moulton.

Board members also gave a favorable evaluation to Superintendent Walt Rulffes, who is in his fifth year at the district helm.

Rulffes' contract runs through August and requires him to give 90 days' notice if he intends to resign. Board members also could give Rulffes 90 days' notice if they intend to replace him. If neither side gives notice, Rulffes' contract rolls over for another year, Janison said.

SUICIDE SUSPECTED

Body of man found near parking garage identified

The body of a man who was found Monday morning at the southeast corner of Las Vegas City Hall's public parking garage was identified as 55-year-old Lawrence Corra, the Clark County coroner's office said Thursday.

Cause and manner of death has yet to be determined, a spokeswoman at the coroner's office said, but on Monday Las Vegas police said the man probably jumped from an upper floor of the seven-level garage, near Stewart Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard.

"It appears to be a suicide, but we're still investigating," said officer Barbara Morgan.

A passer-by contacted police about the body at 11:19 a.m.

The man was dead at the scene, Morgan said.

PNEUMONIA SYMPTOMS

Bighorn sheep monitored for disease in Northern Nevada

Bighorn sheep in two mountain ranges in northeastern Nevada are being monitored after a number showed symptoms of pneumonia.

Nevada Department of Wildlife spokesman Joe Doucette says agency biologists are keeping track of sheep in the East Humboldt Range and the northern half of the Ruby Mountains.

Doucette said the agency is concerned because the Rocky Mountain bighorns tend to congregate in the winter and any disease could more readily spread.

The East Humboldts are home to about 180 bighorns while the northern Rubies are home to about 160.

NDOW officials are urging the public to avoid such sheep wintering locations as Beverly Hills and Welcome outside Wells and Lamoille Canyon near Elko.