Suspect Pleads Innocent in Killing of Girl at Casino

Jeremy Strohmeyer stood in shackles and chains before a judge Monday and pleaded not guilty to charges that he sexually assaulted and killed a young girl in the restroom of a casino at the California-Nevada border.

The Long Beach teenager, with defense attorney Leslie Abramson whispering advice in his ear, answered in a firm voice as he was asked to enter a plea to charges of murder, sexual assault and kidnapping in the killing of 7-year-old Sherrice Iverson.

“Not guilty, your honor,” Strohmeyer said.

An April 20 trial date was set for Strohmeyer, who could face the death penalty if convicted in the Memorial Day weekend killing.

Strohmeyer waived his right to a speedy trial and told District Judge Don Chairez that he understood the state was seeking the death penalty for him.

Prosecutors asked that the trial be set within two months, but Strohmeyer’s attorneys argued that they needed at least until May to properly prepare for the trial.

“There are many mysteries in this case that need to be solved before we go to trial,” Abramson said.

Attorneys sparred for about 20 minutes over the trial date, then Chairez interrupted the proceedings and called them into his chambers.

Half an hour later, they emerged with what prosecutor Stewart Bell said was a “firm date” of April 20.

Strohmeyer’s classmate, David Cash Jr. of La Palma, testified earlier before the grand jury that he saw his friend assault the girl in a stall inside the women’s restroom at the Primadonna casino resort.

Cash said he met Strohmeyer 30 minutes later, and Strohmeyer told him: “I killed her.”

Cash said he, his father and Strohmeyer had stopped at the Primadonna the night of May 24. Cash said he and Strohmeyer, a classmate at Wilson High School in Long Beach, began playing with Sherrice about 3 a.m. on May 25 in an arcade at the hotel-casino, which has been renamed Primm Valley Resort.

Cash has not been charged in the incident. Police and prosecutors have said there is no evidence he took part in the crime.