Killer of Boy Has Prison Term Eased

The Nevada Pardons Board voted Friday to ease the prison term of Brian Hern, who has served 22 years behind bars for the beating death of his girlfriend’s 3-year-old son in Las Vegas.

In a 6-2 vote, the board agreed to reduce the no-parole life term being served by Hern, 45, to life with possible parole. That will let him go before the state Parole Board, a separate panel, and ask for his release.

Hern was convicted in the February 1979 beating death of Curtis Fausett. He was described by his supporters as a changed man who has participated in numerous prison programs, including anger management.

“I made a tragic mistake,” Hern said. “I’m not the same man.”

Chief Justice Bill Maupin and Atty. Gen. Frankie Sue Del Papa cast the two “no” votes. The board is made up of the governor, attorney general and all seven justices on the state Supreme Court.

In other action, the board:

* Lightened the sentence of Maggie Jo Adams, 51, who has been serving two life terms without parole for the 1980 killing of a Las Vegas cab driver. She was convicted with her then-husband, Joe Koza. Adams’ sentence was changed to one life term with possible parole.

* Eased the sentence of Jessie Washington, 53, who has been serving consecutive life terms for the 1983 fatal shooting of a 34-year-old man at a cocktail lounge in Las Vegas. Washington’s two life terms will now run concurrently.

* Eased the no-parole life sentence of Sheela Summers, 46, to life with possible parole. Summers was convicted in 1987 of a Las Vegas-area murder and has served nearly 15 years in prison.

* Refused to grant a pardon to a Reno police officer whose domestic violence conviction has prevented him from carrying a gun. Mark Markiewicz, 37, was convicted of misdemeanor domestic battery in 1997 after wresting a knife from his ex-wife, thinking she was suicidal. The two had been arguing and he had been drinking.