Shooting death ruled justifiable

A coroner’s inquest jury on Thursday ruled justifiable the Feb. 17 shooting death of a convicted male prostitute by an undercover Las Vegas police officer.

The seven-member panel deliberated just over 15 minutes before returning its unanimous verdict on behalf of officer George Pease, 24, who shot and killed Daniel Bryan Schiess, 20, near downtown.

Pease, who had been on the vice detail for two months before the shooting, testified in the county’s domestic relations courtroom that he feared Schiess wanted to kill him during an attempted robbery.

Pease said he picked up Schiess shortly before 8 p.m. on Fremont Street. He testified they then drove in his undercover vehicle to 15th Street and Lewis Avenue, where he stopped the car and was solicited for a $30 sexual act.

"Before he (Schiess) gave me a chance to reply, he placed a knife at my throat," Pease said. "He made the statement `Give me your ……. wallet."’

The officer said he tried to move away inside the car, but Schiess was quickly on top of him, making escape impossible.

"He had all his leverage over me. The only thing he had on his mind was hurting me. I thought he was going to kill me. I really did."

Pease said he took hold of the knife blade with his right hand in an effort to fend off the attack. He later showed the jury the injuries to his thumb and neck.

He said he then reached under the car seat, pulled out his 9mm pistol and fired "three or four shots" at Schiess, who died at the scene.

Steve Grabell, a vice officer with the Los Angeles Police Department, testified Schiess had been convicted in Hollywood on prostitution and narcotics charges. Another Southern California police officer said Schiess had a recent robbery conviction.

Schiess had been in Las Vegas less than a month, police said.

Clark County Chief Medical Examiner Sheldon Green, who conducted the autopsy, told the jury that two of the shots were fatal by themselves. Schiess was struck by bullets to the head, chest and arm.

Green also said he found a high level of cocaine and methamphetamine in Schiess’ system.

Las Vegas vice detectives said, when they arrived on the scene, they found Pease clutching his throat. Paramedics arrived within a minute or two of the detectives’ arrival, but Schiess was dead.

Neighbor Marshall Dawson said the area where Pease parked was well known for prostitution activities.

Lawyer H. Leon Simon presided as hearing officer.