Vol. 3, No. 18
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July 15, 2006
Nevada's Online State News Journal
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Washoe D.A. Bails In Mack Case; Asks Clark D.A. To Prosecute
Claims of Personal Conflicts Bring Change, No Decision On Change Of Venue
Washoe County District Attorney Richard Gammick, up for reelection but with no opponent in the race has decided that there are just too many personal ties with alleged wife murderer and judicial sniper Darren Mack to allow him and his office to prosecute the case. Gammick has asked for help from Clark County's District Attorney David Roger. This action came after defense attorneys had filed motions seeking to disqualify the Washoe County District Attorney's entire office from the case. A second motion calls for disqualification of all Washoe County District Judges as well.
Attorneys for Mack say the sniper shooting of Family Court Judge Chuck Weller probably has affected the thinking of all judges in the district. Lead defense attorney Scott Freeman of Reno has brought in one of Clark County's better-known criminal defense attorneys, David Chesnoff to work with him. Clark County D.A. Roger has appointed Christopher Lalli and Robert Daskas to be the prosecuting attorneys in the case. Both men are considered top prosecuting and investigative attorneys in the Clark County office.
Mack is being held without bail in the Washoe County jail following his return to the United States from Mexico where he allegedly fled following the murder and judicial shooting. Mack is charged with knifing his wife Charla to death while his daughter and a friend were in an upstairs bedroom. Following the killing of his wife, Mack allegedly had coffee and a friendly chat with his friend and daughter, then proceeded to shoot District Judge Weller. He then fled to Mexico, and it was in discussions with long time friend D.A. Gammick that Mack gave himself up to authorities in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
According to court records and other sources, the Mack's were in the middle of a contentious divorce with Judge Weller presiding. Mack believed he was facing a corrupt judge, his words, and that Weller was only hearing his wife's side of issues. He even created a web site to post his contentions and discussed alleged corruption with friends and anyone else that would listen including D.A. Gammick.
At this point Freeman and Chesnoff are not discussing what their defense of Mack might be. A preliminary hearing before Justice of the Peace Ed Dannan in Reno is scheduled for August 8. Mack and his family own Palace Jewelry, a pawnshop in downtown Reno. He is often described as being a millionaire. At this time his daughter is in the care of Mack's mother, and the business is also being run by her and other members of the family.
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