Two charged in connection with cop killing to face death penalty

Clark County prosecutors will seek the death penalty against two of six men charged in connection with the slaying of a Las Vegas police officer at his North Las Vegas home in November.

The district attorney's death penalty committee decided today that Prentice Marshall, 18, and Saul Williams Jr., 20, are eligible for capital punishment for the Nov. 19 shooting death of Trevor Nettleton.

Prosecutors allege aggravating circumstances, including burglary and robbery, warrant seeking the death penalty.

Co-defendants Quadrae Scott and Adrian Pena, both 18, were with Marshall and Williams at the time of the shooting.

The four are charged with multiple felonies including murder with use of a deadly weapon, burglary and conspiracy to commit robbery.

Pena, alleged to be the driver of the vehicle used during the shooting, is not eligible for capital punishment because he was 17 at the time.

Half-brothers Emmitt Ferguson, 18, and Michael Ferguson, 25, are charged with accessory to murder and conspiracy.

Authorities say Marshall, Pena, Williams and Scott were in Pena's Chevrolet Monte Carlo when they saw the garage door of Nettleton's North Las Vegas home open. Nettleton, who had just finished his patrol shift, was inside.

During an attempted robbery of Nettleton, a gunbattle ensued. Marshall was shot in the testicles and Nettleton was shot and killed by Marshall, authorities said.

The Ferguson brothers are accused of trying to cover up evidence related to the slaying, specifically hiding the Glock handgun in the crawl space of an attic in a nearby home, authorities said.

Contact Review-Journal reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.