Thursday, December 31st, The Supreme Court of the State of Nevada reversed and remanded the conviction of Ernesto Manuel Gonzalez of the charges filed against him in 2011. Gonzalez's lawyer, David R. Houston, says a new trial date is expected to be set next week.Â
Gonzalez was convicted for the shooting death of Jethrow Pettigrew during a brawl between two motorcycle clubs, the Vagos and the Hells Angels, at the Nugget Casino in Sparks.Â
During the trial one witness, believed to have instigated the fight, Stuart Rudnick, testified that Gonzalez put out a "green light" on Pettigrew, meaning that he was to be killed. He was the only witness to testify that the killing was planned. On the stand Gonzalez admitted to shooting Pettigrew but claimed it was in defense of another person.Â
The jury found Gonzalez guilty of one count of conspiracy to engage in an affray, carrying a concealed weapon, discharging a firearm into a structure, murder in the first degree with the use of a deadly weapon with a gang enhancement, and conspiracy to commit murder.Â
Since the trial, Gonzalez has appealed to the Supreme Court of Nevada, making several arguments as to why his conviction should be overturned.Â
In response to Gonzalez's appeal, the Supreme Court concluded in part that, "because the district court's errors cumulatively denied Gonzalez of his right to a fair trial, we order his judgment of conviction reversed and remand to the district court for a new trial."
