Two more indicted in deadly drug-related robbery
Two more people have been indicted by a Clark County grand jury in connection with an August drug-related robbery that left a woman dead and her 12-year-old daughter wounded.
David James Burns, alleged to be the shooter, and Stephanie Cousins, alleged to have set up the drug deal, were indicted on multiple felony counts, including murder with use of a deadly weapon and robbery with use of a deadly weapon.
Authorities allege Cousins, 49, arranged a drug deal with 28-year-old Derecia Newman and her boyfriend, Cornelius Mayo, on Aug. 7 at Newman's apartment in the 5600 block of Meikle Lane, near Christy Lane and Lake Mead Boulevard.
Cousins went to Newman's apartment with three others, including Willie Darnell Mason, 28, and Burns, 19, according to a Las Vegas police report.
Newman answered the door and Cousins handed her $20. Burns and Mason then entered the apartment, and Burns shot Newman and her daughter, De'Vonia, as Mason searched the house for money and drugs, according to the report.
The woman alleged to have been the getaway driver, Monica Martinez, 38, was arrested soon after the shooting and was charged with four felonies, including murder with use of a deadly weapon and robbery with use of a deadly weapon.
Burns and Mason were arrested in September in San Bernardino, Calif. Cousins was arrested last week.
Mason was indicted by a grand jury earlier this month on multiple felony counts, including murder with a deadly weapon, robbery with a deadly weapon and conspiracy to commit murder. Martinez and Mason have pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to court records.
Burns and Cousins will be arraigned in District Court at a later date. All four defendants are being held at the Clark County Detention Center without bail.
The district attorney's death penalty committee is expected to review the case and determine if prosecutors will seek capital punishment against the defendants.
Contact reporter Francis McCabe at
fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-103
