POP/ROCK - Aug. 29, 1988

The Nevada Supreme Court has refused to let the heavy metal rock group Judas Priest out of a suit filed by the families of a youth who killed himself and another who attempted suicide after the pair listened to Priest albums nonstop for six hours. The British band’s attorney had contended that the group, featuring singer Rob Halford, isn’t subject to Nevada jurisdiction, but the state high court overruled the contention, saying the court had an interest in its citizens’ health and would not force the teen-agers’ families to seek redress in British courts. Also rejected was an argument that the group wasn’t responsible for distribution of its music, noting Judas Priest had made two concert appearances in Nevada and had targeted the state as a sales market. The suit is expected to go to trial in federal court in Reno on Oct. 10.