Laotian-born murderer loses language translation appeal

CARSON CITY -- The murder conviction of a Laotian-born man who claimed a court-appointed interpreter did not properly translate what he was saying during his trial will stand, the Supreme Court ruled Thursday.

Justices acknowledged that some of the translations made by the interpreter were inaccurate, but said there was overwhelming evidence to convict Vannasone Quanbengboune of killing his girlfriend on Aug. 7, 2003.

Justices did, however, announce a new rule dealing with trials in which testimony might be not be properly translated.

Quanbengboune, now 39, was convicted of murdering Rayanna Bunyou outside a Las Vegas karaoke bar.

District Judge Jackie Glass called him a "monster" when she sentenced him to life without parole in 2005.

Because of the translation problem, the justices announced a new rule to allow defendants who discover interpreter inaccuracies to file post-trial motions for a new trial.

If a defendant files such motions, then each party and the district court should have interpreters look through the taped record. The judge must decide whether the inaccuracies fundamentally alter the context of the testimony and require a new trial.