Man pleads guilty in death of homeless man
A 32-year-old man facing a murder charge pleaded guilty Wednesday to involuntary manslaughter and battery with substantial bodily harm in the 2010 death of a homeless man.
Prosecutors dropped the murder charge against Nicholas Hamm in exchange for the guilty plea in the case. A sentencing hearing was set for May 16 before District Judge Stefanie Miley.
Hamm’s attorney, Michael Schwarz, said, “I think it was an appropriate negotiation under the circumstances.”
The victim, Randal Mars, 48, was found in January 2010 with severe facial and head injuries near 4750 W. Flamingo Blvd., just west of the Strip. There was bruising on his face, as well as a shoe print on his forehead, authorities said.
Mars was taken to University Medical Center, where he underwent emergency surgery. He died two days later.
Authorities alleged Hamm beat Mars after Mars insulted his family.
Another homeless man, David Farkas, also was charged in the case. He told Las Vegas police about the fight and said he helped Hamm move Mars from the vacant building where the three men were living to where the body was found.
Farkas pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in May 2010 and was sentenced to three to eight years in prison that summer.
In May 2011, prosecutors took Hamm to trial on the murder charge, but a jury deadlocked and could not reach a verdict.
Hamm’s second trial was set to begin Monday.
Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.
