Posted on: February 21, 2023, 07:32h.
Final up to date on: February 21, 2023, 07:44h.
Former Las Vegas Raiders extensive receiver Henry Ruggs III was assigned one other decide for his Las Vegas drunk driving case and doable felony trial.
magistrate Joe Bonaventure, who’s now overseeing the Las Vegas DUI courtroom, recused himself on Tuesday. He requested that the 24-year-old’s case be despatched to a different decide, magistrate Concord Letizia.
Bonaventure stated that also one other decide had requested the case be heard by Letizia if a DUI specialty courtroom couldn’t hear it.
Choose Made Feedback on Case
Bonaventure defined he needed to recuse himself as a result of he mentioned the case throughout his 2022 reelection marketing campaign. He stated he “had a number of conversations about this case, and I made public statements about this case in varied endorsement interviews and all through my marketing campaign for reelection final yr,” the Las Vegas Evaluation-Journal reported.
The case earlier was moved from magistrate Ann Zimmerman, who previously oversaw DUI circumstances in Las Vegas.
Protection attorneys objected to Zimmerman following equal safety points. District Choose Jennifer Schwartz redirected the case to Bonaventure.
Information of the case getting reassigned once more seems to have stunned David Chesnoff, one in every of Ruggs’ attorneys, who has represented many high-profile shoppers on felony prices in Las Vegas.
[Attorney Richard] Schonfeld and I’ll mirror on it and proceed to do no matter we have to do to guard the constitutional rights of Mr. Ruggs and thereby defend the rights of all Nevadans,” Chesnoff informed Las Vegas TV station KSNV after listening to the newest flip within the case.
Different Driver, Canine Perished
Ruggs was arrested for a November 2021 deadly crash. He was allegedly touring at speeds as much as 156 mph earlier than his Corvette struck a Toyota Rav4, pushed by Tina Tintor, 23, close to Rainbow Boulevard in Las Vegas, police stated. The Toyota burst into flames.
Tintor and her canine, Max, died from accidents suffered within the fireplace.
Ruggs and an unnamed feminine passenger have been injured. Every obtained remedy at an area hospital.
Ruggs is charged with DUI leading to demise, DUI leading to substantial bodily hurt, two counts of reckless driving leading to demise or substantial bodily hurt, and possession of a firearm whereas below the affect.
Ruggs was launched after posting bond. He should put on a monitoring gadget. Bonaventure had set $150,000 bail for Ruggs. Prosecutors had requested for a $1M bail.
The subsequent step within the proceedings is for Letizia, if she hears the case, to schedule a preliminary listening to, in keeping with the Evaluation-Journal. That process is held to see if there may be ample proof for Ruggs to face trial. The preliminary listening to for Ruggs beforehand was delayed seven occasions, Las Vegas TV station KLAS reported.
Earlier, a blood alcohol check was accredited to be submitted within the case, regardless of objections from Ruggs’ authorized group. The check confirmed that Ruggs’ alcohol degree after the accident was greater than twice the authorized restrict, KLAS reported. Nevada’s authorized restrict is .08.
Earlier than the crash, Ruggs led the Raiders in receiving yards in 2021. The previous Alabama standout had 24 receptions, 469 receiving yards, and two touchdowns by means of seven video games.
