|
Summarized by Kent Larsen
Murderer of Local LDS Leader Gets Life Sentence
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA -- The convicted murderer of a local LDS leader and
father of four was sentenced Tuesday and will spend at least 47 years
in prison before he is eligible for parole. District Judge Sally
Loehrer rejected Keith Shanley's bid for a new trial and sentenced
him to life in prison for the February 1998 shooting death of George
Veit at a Best Auto store in Las Vegas.
The murder was a case of mistaken identity and police were stymied
until they realized that Veit was the same height and build as
another store employee, Steve Conley, who was living with Shanley's
ex-girlfriend. Shanley hired Steven Acosta to commit the murder, and
Acosta mistook Veit for Conley.
Shanley was convicted of the murder and other charges in August
because of statements he made about the murder to friends and his
testimony in the trial, which made it clear that he had conspired
with Acosta to commit the murder.
After his trial started in September, Acosta agreed to plead guilty
to a charge of conspiracy to commit murder, and currently faces two
to ten years. Acosta's plea led Shanley to seek a new trial, claiming
that Shanley shouldn't be convicted of a more serious crime than
Acosta, who actually pulled the trigger.
But Judge Loehrer disagreed Tuesday, and gave Shanley a life
sentence. He will be eligible for parole in 40 years plus seven years
for other related charges.
Source:
BOTCHED HIT: Killer gets prison term, loses bid for new trial
Las Vegas NV Review-Journal 18Oct00 D2
By Peter O'Connell: Review-Journal
Judge rejects attempt to review case based on co-defendant
|
