In Brief

FATHER ACCUSED OF USING HAMMER

Woman sentenced in beating death of boyfriend's 2-year-old

A 24-year-old Las Vegas woman who admitted in court that she did not stop the abuse that preceded the death of her boyfriend's 33-month-old son was sentenced to five to 12 years in prison Wednesday.

Brandi Lea Reeves, who in November pleaded guilty to one count of child abuse resulting in substantial bodily harm in the July 10, 2007, bludgeoning death of Zander Martino, was sentenced by Judge David Wall.

Reeves originally was charged with second-degree murder in the death but cut a deal with prosecutors and will testify against Richard Todd Martino at his trial, scheduled for November.

Authorities say Martino, 28, killed the boy with a hammer less than three weeks after Child Protective Services in Las Vegas returned Zander and two siblings to the downtown home Martino shared with Reeves.

Reeves told Wall in November that she knew Martino was abusing the boy, "and I did nothing."

SPAY/NEUTER RULE

Error in 'fixed' ordinance means kittens, puppies get reprieve

The city of Las Vegas put a lot of time and effort into a spay/neuter ordinance that was supposed to be in effect already, but because of an error it's not.

In an effort to control pet overpopulation, Las Vegas put together an ordinance to require dogs and cats older than 4 months to be sterilized.

The title and summary of the ordinance said that, but the part that became city code said 6 months instead of 4 months. There was considerable debate at the time the ordinance was passed on whether 6 months was a more appropriate threshold.

Las Vegas sent out a notice April 1 that the law was in effect, and one person was cited for violating it, city spokesman Jace Radke said. That citation is now void, and the ordinance is not operative. Instead, animal control officers are focusing on educating people about the new rule.

"City Council approval of the 'fixed' ordinance will be needed before it can go into effect," he said.

A council subcommittee is scheduled to vote on an amended version Tuesday. It must then be approved at a subsequent City Council meeting.

SECOND OF TWO ARRESTED AUG. 15

Honolulu officer convicted of DUI, marijuana charges

A Honolulu police officer was convicted in Las Vegas of misdemeanor driving under the influence and marijuana charges stemming from his arrest last August while taking part in a softball tournament.

Prosecutor Bruce Nelson said Wednesday that a felony driving under the influence charge was dismissed for Kevin Fujioka, 38, because it conflicted with the misdemeanor DUI charge.

A Las Vegas justice of the peace found Fujioka guilty Tuesday of the two misdemeanor charges and ordered him to pay $580 in fines and fees.

Prosecutors last month dropped a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge against another Honolulu officer, Shayne Souza, 47, after he pleaded guilty to obstructing a public officer. Souza and Fujioka were arrested Aug. 15 in a van several miles west of the Strip.