Two brothers convicted in slaying of their sister’s husband

Two brothers on Wednesday were convicted by a Clark County jury in the slaying of their brother-in-law a year ago.

Ronnie Brass, 29, and Jermaine Brass, 25, were convicted of first-degree murder with use of a deadly weapon, first-degree kidnapping, conspiracy to commit murder, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping.

Jermaine Brass was also convicted of burglary and grand larceny. Ronnie Brass was acquitted of those charges.

Prosecutors said that on Jan. 9, 2009, the two brothers shot 39-year-old Ernest Mitchell while he was standing in the doorway of his house, in the 5500 block of Reiter Avenue, near Smoke Ranch Road and Jones Boulevard.

Mitchell's wife, Katrina Brass, told police Mitchell had blamed her brothers for burglarizing his home the day before and stealing some tires and rims.

Katrina Brass testified against her brothers at the trial.

She had told investigators that her brothers arrived at Mitchell's home to confront him over the burglary accusations, and while Mitchell was arguing with Ronnie Brass, Jermaine Brass rounded a corner and shot Mitchell.

Authorities said the argument with Ronnie Brass was meant to lure Mitchell out of his home so that Jermaine Brass could shoot him.

A medical examiner testified at the trial that Mitchell was shot 10 times.

The brothers are scheduled to be sentenced March 31 by District Judge Doug Smith. Both could face life prison terms on the murder and kidnapping counts.