Man faces trial on murder, sex charges

A 35-year-old man will stand trial in the May slaying and sexual assault of a woman, a Las Vegas justice of the peace ruled Thursday after a preliminary hearing.

Harold Wilson Marin is charged with first-degree murder, sexual assault and unlawful sexual penetration of a dead human in the strangulation death of Edis Hernandez-Quintanilla, 43.

The Clark County District Attorney's death penalty committee is expected to review the case to determine if prosecutors will seek execution.

Authorities said Marin was caught May 1 by Boulder City police after allegedly dumping the victim's body in the desert south of Boulder City.

According to a Las Vegas police report, Marin confessed to the crime. He told investigators he met Hernandez-Quintanilla at the Silver Saddle Saloon at 2501 E. Charleston Blvd., near Boulder Highway.

Marin claimed the victim was a prostitute. He said he got into a fight with her pimp, who fled, and he then strangled Hernandez-Quintanilla and dumped her in the desert, the arrest report stated.

Authorities don't believe Hernandez-Quintanilla was a prostitute.

During the interview with police, Marin said, "I don't know why you are doing all this, I have blood on my hands. I'm guilty."

After the preliminary hearing, Marin was taken into custody. He is being held at the Clark County Detention Center on $1 million bail. An arraignment hearing is scheduled for Sept. 15.

Bail was originally set at $250,000 after Marin's arrest. Prior to the preliminary hearing, Marin was able to post the bond and return to a job at the Bellagio, where he worked as a painter. His bail was later raised at the request of prosecutors.

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