In Brief

involuntary manslaughter charge

25-year-old pleads not guilty in death of his best friend

A mixed martial arts fighter charged in connection with his best friend's death pleaded not guilty Tuesday to one count of involuntary manslaughter.

Authorities said Jason Sindelar, 25, beat DeMario Reynolds Sr., 26, in June after he tried to stop a fight between Sindelar and his girlfriend in a Luxor hotel room. Reynolds died after the altercation.

The Clark County coroner's office determined Reynolds died as a result of an overdose of cocaine, Ecstasy, and alcohol.

The physical altercation was a contributing factor and the death was ruled a homicide, the coroner's office stated.

Sindelar originally was charged with second-degree murder, but a Las Vegas justice of the peace dismissed the charge after a preliminary hearing earlier this month.

If convicted of involuntary manslaughter, Sindelar could face probation or up to four years in prison.

Sindelar remained free on $50,000 bond. A trial was scheduled for April.

happened tuesday on i-15

Motorcyclist crashes into
SUV on highway, dies at UMC

A motorcyclist died Tuesday after crashing into the back of a sport utility vehicle.

Nevada Highway Patrol trooper Joseph Fackrell said the man, who was not identified, crashed into the SUV while traveling on Interstate 15 near Craig Road about 10:30 a.m.

The man was transported to University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 11:30 a.m.

There were no other injuries in the accident and no road closures, Fackrell said. The investigation is ongoing.

attack outside restaurant

$2,000 reward offered to find
suspects in Bullhead City death

A $2,000 reward is being offered in an effort to find the suspects in a Bullhead City, Ariz., homicide.

Authorities say 24-year-old Richard Lee Huffinnes of Bullhead City was assaulted early Saturday by two men in a restaurant parking lot. He was airlifted to Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas for a serious head injury and died Monday.

Bullhead City police are seeking the suspects who reportedly fled the scene in a pickup after the assault outside Buffalo Wild Wings.

Restaurant officials have pledged to match the $1,000 Mohave Silent Witness reward leading to the arrest of those responsible for Huffinnes' death.

faces life in prison

Woman charged in daughter's methadone death found guilty

A Washoe County jury has convicted a Sparks mother of second-degree murder for the methadone poisoning of her young daughter.

Tracie Schuler, 39, faces up to life in prison when sentenced in December by District Judge Steven Kosach. Authorities say Schuler's 3-year-old daughter, Jessika, died Feb. 23, 2009 of methadone poisoning.

Schuler is a former heroin addict who is prescribed liquid methadone to curb her cravings.

Jurors found on Monday that Schuler negligently left her methadone bottles within easy access of her daughter, who accidentally ingested it.