Life sentence for man who shot and killed son

A 57-year-old man was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole by the same Clark County jury that convicted him of murder for fatally shooting his son in 2009.

Jerry Pough, Sr. on Monday was convicted of first-degree murder with use of a deadly weapon after a week long trial where he represented himself. A day later the same jury sentenced him to the life prison term.

Authorities said that in September 2009 Pough was in a vehicle with his son, Jerry Pough Jr., after watching a boxing match between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Juan Manuel Marquez with family and friends.

The two argued over the way to get to the son’s home and the elder Pough shot him in the head. Two other people in the vehicle at the time of the shooting were unharmed.

The jury could have sentenced Pough to a lesser prison sentence.

But prosecutor Frank Coumou told them Pough deserved life without parole for committing such a heinous crime over something so insignificant and leaving his three grandsons without a father.

Pough argued during the trial that the shooting was an accident.

Pough has a history of mental health problems, including schizophrenia and being bipolar. In October 2010, he was sent to Lakes Crossing in Sparks, the state’s facility for mentally ill defendants, and was found competent to stand trial.

Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.