Crime
| Dec. 12, 2008
Saili Manu received the maximum sentence of a total of six years in jail for two counts of assault with a deadly weapon at a 2007 Halloween party that left three men dead.
Dan Grecu, the prosecuting attorney, argued that although Manu did not kill anyone, his actions at the party “kindled the fire.”
Evidence also shows that a bullet was jammed in the chamber of his gun, meaning he pulled the trigger, Judge Patrick Flanagan said as he delivered the sentence.
| Dec. 11, 2008
James Michael Biela will go to trial for five charges: three charges of sexual assault, one count of kidnapping and one count of murder for the death of former Reno resident Brianna Denison.
| Dec. 10, 2008
Two sexual assault victims and girl who was with Brianna Denison the night of her disappearance testified in Reno Justice Court as part of the preliminary hearing of James Michael Biela. Biela is charged with three counts of sexual assault, and one count of murder, kidnapping and attempted sexual assault.
| Dec. 9, 2008
Police are investigating a sexual assault that occurred on campus during the weekend and was reported Sunday, according to the campus police blotter. The University of Nevada, Reno Police department said that the victim and suspect were acquaintances.
No further information could be released because the case is still under investigation, UNRPD Director Adam Garcia, said.
| Dec. 9, 2008
Since the adoption of the Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention of College Students (BASICS) Program last spring, campus police have issued 372 drinking violations this year, almost double the number from previous years.
| Dec. 9, 2008
Three more sexual assault charges were added this week to the case against James Michael Biela, the man accused of murdering Brianna Denison on Jan. 20 and kidnapping and sexually assaulting another female on Dec. 16, 2007.
| Dec. 9, 2008
The University of Nevada, Reno Police Department identified John Rogers, a 23-year-old student, as the person who made repeated harassing phone calls to Campus Escort last weekend.
Rogers will not face any criminal charges. An official report will not be available until Tuesday, the police said.
| Dec. 8, 2008
On-campus and near-campus crimes from Dec. 1 to Dec. 7.
| Dec. 2, 2008
University of Nevada, Reno students said although they are “relieved” Brianna Denison’s suspected killer was arrested Nov. 25, they won’t stop carrying their pepper spray and will continue to avoid walking alone.
| Nov. 26, 2008
James Michael Biela, 27, of Sparks, was arrested Tuesday evening as a suspect in the abduction and murder of Brianna Denison and in connection with a Dec. 16 sexual assault near the University of Nevada, Reno, police said Wednesday.
| Nov. 26, 2008
Reno police arrested a suspect Tuesday in the abduction and murder of college student Brianna Denison.
Denison, 19, was abducted from a house near campus Jan. 19. Her body was found in a south Reno field Feb. 15.
The Reno Police Department will hold a news conference about the arrest 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. No other details have been released.
| Nov. 24, 2008
| Nov. 14, 2008
Convicted murderer Samisoni Taukitoku was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Friday for the 2007 Halloween party that left three men dead.
| Nov. 13, 2008
Tears ran freely as families of Samisoni Taukitoku and the victims in last year’s Halloween party shooting argued for or against Taukitoku getting a second chance through parole 20 years from now.
He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole. The jury is expected to decide his fate Friday.
| Nov. 12, 2008
Samisoni Taukitoku will face his sentencing trial 10 a.m. Thursday.
A jury found him guilty of three counts of murder and four counts of threatening others with his gun at a Halloween party last year.
Among the dead was Derek K. Jensen,…
© 2008 The Nevada Sagebrush
