Suspects to stand trial

The two teenagers accused of killing a Palo Verde High School freshman in a drive-by shooting will go to trial in connection with the slaying.

After hearing testimony for three days, Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Melissa Saragosa ruled Monday that Gerald Q. Davison, 16, and Ezekiel Williams, 18, will stand trial in the Feb. 15 death of 15-year-old Christopher Privett.

She also denied Williams' request to be released on bail.

"There is no real surprise here," said Brent Bryson, the attorney defending Williams, regarding Saragosa's decision. He said that there is a lower threshold for sending defendants to trial than in finding them guilty.

Bryson said Williams was disappointed with the judge's decision to send him to trial and to deny him bail. He said Williams' parents are "surprisingly strong" and have expressed compassion for Privett and the victim's family.

"There's no winners. Everybody's a loser in this particular case," Bryson said.

Davison's attorney, Osvaldo "Ozzie" Fumo, declined to comment after the hearing.

Relatives and supporters of Williams and Davison attended all four days of the hearing and sat in silence as witnesses recounted testimony. One girl broke into tears Monday after Saragosa said the defendants would go to trial.

Privett's mother, Barbara Privett, also attended the hearings last week but was not in court Monday.

On Feb. 15, the day of the shooting, Privett and three friends were walking from Palo Verde to Privett's house. Enrique Melendez, a friend of Privett, testified that he jokingly flashed a gang sign on the street. Melendez, a self-confessed former member of the Crips street gang, said he was the only one in Privett's group with any ties to a gang.

Privett, an honor student, played center on Palo Verde's freshman football team.

A car driven by Williams and carrying Davison and Mandesha Walker passed Privett and the others as Melendez flashed the gang signs. According to Melendez, Walker shouted out to him, "What's up, Blood?" He testified that he replied back, "What's up, cuz?"

Authorities said Williams drove off but returned minutes later. They said Davison opened fire on the group with a .22-caliber handgun and fatally wounded Privett. Another teen, Khyri Carter, testified that he found a bullet hole in his backpack after the shooting.

Authorities also said Williams handed Davison the handgun in the car and egged him on.

Other witnesses gave conflicting testimony. Walker, who is Williams' girlfriend, said Wednesday that Davison had flashed gang signs back at Melendez. She also said several in Privett's group showed gang signs.

Walker said she was "shocked" after the shooting. But witnesses said Walker told them after the shooting that Davison fired off at least four rounds because they got "banged on," slang for a gang conflict.

Walker isn't facing charges in the shooting. Prosecutors on Monday declined to comment on whether she will face charges.

Davison and Williams are facing more than a dozen felony charges, including murder with a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit murder and assault.

Saragosa also upheld "gang enhancement" charges because authorities allege Davison and Williams are associated with Squad Up, a hybrid gang.

The gang enhancements could increase the time the teens spend in prison if convicted.

They are scheduled to be arraigned May 12 in District Court.

Contact reporter David Kihara at dkihara@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.