The mother of Tashii Brown, who died after an encounter with Las Vegas police on the Strip, not satisfied after public review of evidence. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
A Las Vegas police officer has been demoted after failing to stop the death of an unarmed black man. Now former sergeant Travis Crumrine was in charge of officer Kenneth Lopera during the death of Tashii Brown last May. Lopera shocked Brown multiple times before placing him in an unapproved chokehold. Records show that originally, department officials accused Crumrine of failing to intervene by not ensuring that Lopera let go of Brown after he gave the officer an order to do so. Ultimately, Crumrine was demoted to police officer on Nov. 1 for neglect of duty and for failing to turn on his body camera during the interaction.
1. The Las Vegas officer faces charges in the death of Tashii Brown has filed a lawsuit against the police department. Officer Kenneth Lopera’s lawsuit states he shouldn’t have to submit a formal interview because he will be provided “no immunity from future prosecution based on those statements.” Brown died May 14 after being repeatedly shocked with a Taser, and placed in an unauthorized chokehold.
2. Golden Gate in downtown Las Vegas has reopened its doors after closing for renovation on Friday. The multimillion-dollar renovation was completed in 106 hours, and nearly doubled the size of the casino. It also added a 24-foot, 360-degree “television fountain” with a multifaceted spiral crystal chandelier at a new casino entrance off Fremont.
3. The highly anticipated Mayweather-McGregor fight is tonight. Whether you’ll be at T-Mobile Arena, or watching from home, we have you covered with all your fight night coverage. For a list of ways to watch the fight, odds, and much more, visit reviewjournal.com/maymac. (Rochelle Richards/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
The mother of Tashii Brown, who died in Las Vegas police custody in May, spoke in public about her son’s case for the first time this week. Trinita Farmer spoke at a Thursday night screening of the documentary film, “What Happened in Vegas,” during the FreedomFest conference at the Paris Las Vegas. The film takes a critical look at the Metropolitan Police Department’s most controversial officer-involved deaths in recent years. (Rio Lacanlale/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
1. Alexis Plunkett’s lawyer Robert Langford withdrew his representation on Monday, leaving Plunkett in what she calls a “real monetary bind.” The criminal defense attorney who is facing felony charges after providing a cellphone to inmates told a judge Monday that she paid her lawyer more for a week’s worth of work than she paid herself all last month. Plunkett’s hearing is set for next month.
2. Former mixed martial arts fighter War Machine was sentenced to 36 years to life in prison after being convicted of more than two dozen charges in March. Also known as Jonathan Koppenhaver, War Machine was convicted of 29 counts, including sexual assault and first-degree kidnapping in connection with an attack on his ex-girlfriend Christine Mackinday back in August 2014.
3. The Las Vegas police officer who held Tashii Brown in an unauthorized chokehold for more than a minute before his death last month is now facing criminal charges. At an afternoon news briefing on Monday, Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said officer Kenneth Lopera is facing felony charges of involuntary manslaughter and oppression under the color of office. Lopera’s arrest marks the first time in nearly three decades a Metro officer has faced charges in connection with a police shooting or in-custody death.