Police Shadowing Casino Slaying Figure

Police at UC Berkeley have been quietly shadowing student David Cash, the friend of Nevada casino killer Jeremy Strohmeyer.

Bill Cooper, police captain at UC Berkeley, said authorities are concerned for Cash’s safety, as well as the possibility that classes might be disrupted after the CBS television show “60 Minutes” airs a segment on the case. The segment, scheduled to be shown tonight, could be preempted by coverage of the presidential sex scandal.

Cash, 19, has said repeatedly that he left the casino restroom before Strohmeyer sexually assaulted and strangled 7-year-old Sherrice Iverson in May 1997. The Times disclosed last week that two high school friends said Cash told them he had witnessed Strohmeyer sexually assaulting the girl. Nevada authorities have not charged Cash with any crime.

Cooper would not elaborate on the steps police are taking to watch Cash on campus.

“It’s just to be there quickly if a confrontation were to erupt in class,” said Cooper, who added that Cash has not requested the security.

An undercover officer was with Cash Wednesday night when Lonnie Long, 24, spat on him at a convenience store near campus. Cooper said the man asked the student if he was David Cash.

“Cash said yes, and the guy spat in his face,” Cooper said. “He took it in stride. He didn’t fight back or yell or say anything.”

Long was cited for misdemeanor battery and released.

Sherrice’s mother and others have tried to drive Cash from campus. But school officials said they will not expel Cash because he has not been charged with a crime or has violated any student codes.