Sex Counts Dropped in Casino Slaying
Prosecutors said Tuesday they are dropping sexual assault counts against Jeremy Strohmeyer, the Long Beach teenager who also is charged with the kidnapping and murder of a 7-year-old girl in a casino restroom.
Clark County Dist. Atty. Stewart Bell said a coroner’s autopsy found insufficient evidence to support charges that Strohmeyer, 18, molested Sherrice Iverson before allegedly strangling her on May 25.
The Los Angeles girl was killed in a restroom at the Prima Donna Resort on the Nevada-California border.
Justice of the Peace Janet Smith strengthened a gag order in the case, which has received extensive news coverage. Security camera video showing a man chasing the girl into a restroom has been broadcast nationally.
The action Tuesday came during a status hearing in Smith’s tiny courtroom in this hamlet 13 miles from the murder scene.
The move to strengthen the gag order came after defense attorney Richard Wright complained about “the notorious irresponsibility of journalists.”
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