Top News

It was a homicide case that baffled detectives for nearly three months: no witnesses, a shaky motive, few leads.

But Las Vegas police eventually found their smoking gun in a cigarette they say was carelessly tossed aside by the suspect just before the slaying.

Police announced this week that Brandon J. Hill, 22, had been charged with murder in the March 30 slaying of Michael Alano Portaro, 22, outside the Tenaya Creek Brewery. Portaro, a 2006 graduate of Faith Lutheran Junior/Senior High School, was at the bar's parking lot selling tickets to a hip-hop show when he was killed.

Hill's DNA was on a partially smoked cigarette found under Portaro's leg, and police found Portaro's blood on shoes taken during a search of Hill's home, according to an arrest report.

Ballistics also connected the fatal bullets with a Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum revolver found near Hill when he was arrested in April on an illegal gun possession case.

MONDAY

Cops fight inquest

Three Las Vegas police officers facing the first coroner's inquest under revamped rules filed court papers asking a judge to deem the process unconstitutional.

The Las Vegas Police Protective Association, which represents about 2,800 rank-and-file Las Vegas police officers, objects to an ombudsman questioning witnesses on behalf of the deceased's family.

TUESDAY

Nellis range's new man

Nellis Air Force Base leaders said goodbye to the 98th Range Wing and its last commander, Col. John P. "Bama" Montgomery, and welcomed the next range commander, Col. Kenneth "Chip" Thompson.

The new commander will guide operations under the newly named Nevada Test and Training Range, 2.9 million acres that host air combat exercises for the nation's cutting-edge fighter jets.

WEDNESDAY

High roller loses case

A jury convicted California businessman Harel Zahavi of passing $384,000 in bad checks at four casinos.

During trial, the 50-year-old's lawyer argued Zahavi had gambled roughly $50 million in the past decade and that the casinos gave him the markers knowing he couldn't repay them because of worsening financial troubles. Zahavi faces up to 16 years in prison.

THURSDAY

Judge halts NLV revote

A judge temporarily derailed North Las Vegas' plans to schedule a new election in a disputed City Council race.

The council was supposed to set the date for a revote in one Ward 4 precinct during a special meeting because an ineligible voter cast a ballot. Dentist Wade Wagner defeated incumbent Councilman Richard Cherchio by one vote.

But minutes before the meeting, District Judge Allan Earl granted a temporary restraining order that barred the council from proceeding.

The order stemmed from a lawsuit filed by two voters claiming the council violated open meeting laws when it voted to hold a new election.

FRIDAY

Raving in Sin City

The Electric Daisy Carnival, the country's largest rave, opened at the Las Vegas Speedway.

Organizers expected 80,000 people a day to enjoy the electronic music and pulsating lights during the three-day event. They also prepared for the kind of troubles that have followed the event at other venues, including two deaths at the Dallas stop a week earlier.

About 160 police officers and 1,000 private security guards were hired to crack down on drug use. The event will also have dozens of paramedics and other medical personnel on hand to treat ravers.