Trial delayed in officer’s slaying

The trial of six men charged in connection with the November slaying of a Las Vegas police officer at his North Las Vegas home was delayed until next year.

The trial originally was set for Feb. 16 after four of the defendants invoked their right to a speedy trial.

District Judge David Wall had told prosecutors and defense attorneys to expect the delay in a previous hearing.

Wall on Monday set a new trial for Feb. 7, 2011. A hearing for defense motions to dismiss the case is set for Feb. 24, court records show.

Four defendants are charged with multiple felonies, including murder with use of a deadly weapon and burglary: Saul Williams Jr., 20, Quadrae Scott, 18, Prentice Marshall, 18, and Adrian Pena, 18.

Half brothers Emmitt Ferguson, 18, and Michael Ferguson, 25, are charged with accessory to murder and conspiracy. They are accused of trying to cover up evidence related to the slaying.

North Las Vegas police allege Marshall, Pena, Williams and Scott were in Pena's car when they saw the open garage door of officer Trevor Nettleton's North Las Vegas home. Nettleton, who had just finished his patrol shift, was in the garage.

During an attempted robbery of Nettleton, a gunbattle erupted. He was shot and killed by Marshall, police said. Marshall and Williams could face the death penalty if convicted.