Sergeant may face grand jury
Prosecutors may be planning to convene a grand jury to consider evidence against a suspended Nevada Highway Patrol sergeant who is accused of driving under the influence of marijuana while involved in a fatal crash June 11.
NHP Sgt. Edward Lattin was expected to enter a plea Tuesday before Justice of the Peace Abbi Silver, but instead the judge scheduled a preliminary hearing for Oct. 15.
"It is my understanding the state is intending to take this case to the grand jury," Silver said.
Prosecutor L.J. O'Neale also invited Lattin's attorney John Watkins to contact him if his client is interested in testifying before the grand jury. Grand juries listen to testimony from witnesses and review evidence to determine whether the case is strong enough to go to trial.
Prosecutors claim Lattin, a 22-year highway patrol veteran who supervised a team that investigates fatal crashes, had enough marijuana in his system to impair his driving during the crash, which happened when he was off-duty. They said he smoked at most four hours before the crash occurred on Rainbow Boulevard in the southwest valley.
Killed in the accident was 49-year-old Ying Warren.
Lattin voluntarily submitted to a blood test that showed he exceeded the legal limit, even if Lattin had ingested the smoke secondhand. Initially, officers believed that Lattin suffered from diabetic shock, triggering the wreck.
Lattin was arrested last week on one felony count of driving under the influence resulting in death. His bail was set at $50,000.
Wearing a black suit and burgundy shirt and tie, Lattin stood silently before Silver. He was accompanied to the short hearing by family members, who sat in the back of the courtroom and declined to speak with reporters.
Tests showed that 5.6 nanograms per milliliter of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) were present in the troopers' system before it was metabolized. After it was metabolized, tests showed 26 nanograms per milliliter in his blood stream.
State law allows drivers to have 2 nanograms per milliliter of THC in their system because smoke might have been ingested secondhand.
Last year, Lattin represented the Nevada Highway Patrol in urging drivers to be safe and avoid driving under the influence during the holiday season.
Contact reporter Adrienne Packer at apacker @reviewjournal.com or 702-384-8710.
