Titus/Ryan update
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Ron Brady Jr. - GUILTY
June 3rd, 2008
Despite his father’s efforts to help save him, Ron Brady Jr was found guilty today. The following was posted on kvbc.com:
Accomplice prosecuted in Titus murder case
36-year-old Nelson Ronald Brady, Jr. was found guilty of three counts of solicitation to commit murder for attempting to hire a hit man to kill three key witnesses in the Craig Titus and Kelly Ryan murder case.
Titus and Ryan are charged with killing Melissa James, their personal assistant in December 2005. Megan Pierson Foley and Jeremy Foley testified that Titus and Ryan discussed details of the murder with them, and Anthony Gross allegedly helped dispose of James’ body.
Brady reportedly met Titus while serving time in jail for another crime and approached inmate Deem Cassim about planning the hit on the witnesses. Cassim informed police about Brady’s plans and helped authorities to build a case against him.
Evidence against Brady included recorded jailhouse interviews and video footage of Brady discussing the hit with an undercover police detective.
Brady denied the allegations, stating that he only intended to discredit the reliability of the witnesses by implicating them in a drug sting and either pay them off or threaten them into not testifying.
After being arrested, police say Brady confessed to orchestrating the killings during a recorded interview, but Brady maintains he only told police about the hit to end the interview.
Brady faces two to 15 years in jail.
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Titus wants to speak to Maura James
June 2nd, 2008
Titus tells the reporter that he wants to “respect the court” and share what happened with Maura James. Listen to Titus go from one side to another during the entire interview http://www.lasvegasnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=8413904
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Craig Titus says he’s guilty but he’s no killer
June 2nd, 2008
Well this should bode well for Titus when it comes to sentencing next month. Titus is claiming he didn’t kill Melissa James and that he wants to tell Maura James that he loved her daughter. This story was posted on kvbc.com:
Craig Titus says he’s willing to sacrifice his freedom for his wife, Kelly Ryan.
In his first interview with News 3 since his surprising guilty plea, Titus denied claims that he murdered his former assistant, Melissa James, but said the plea deal was the only way to spare Ryan a lengthy prison sentence.
“I never said I killed Melissa James,” Titus told News 3’s Dana Wagner, “I said i would plead guilty if you give my wife an oppportunity to have a life.”
Titus pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree murder, 1st degree kidnapping, and 1st degree arson. Ryan pleaded guilty to arson, and entered an Alford plea to battery with a deadly weapon. The Alford plea means Ryan won’t admit guilt, but admits there is enough evidence to convict her.
Once superstars of professional bodybuilding, the couple were named the key suspects after James’ body was found in Ryan’s burned-out Sedan in December 2005.
Nine days later they were arrested at a Boston beauty salon.
Looking at Titus today, he appears to have lost the form that won him multiple bodybuilding championships, and it’s likely he’ll never again compete on the professional level.
It’s a fact he seems resigned to, admitting that he’s made some “bad decisions”, and that he’s ready to pay the price.
Titus wouldn’t explain the details of Melissa James’ murder, but he says he never wanted any harm to come to her, and he wishes to explain what happened to her mother.
“I want to tell her that I loved her daughter and want to talk to her and tell her it’s nothing like they painted it out to be.”
Titus may get his chance in court, he and Kelly Ryan will be sentenced July 18.
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Las Vegas Sun Out to Lunch?
June 1st, 2008
Someone might want to let the The Las Vegas Sun know there will be no trial. The following was posted on their web site today. Clearly they had been working on the story for the trial that was set to begin tomorrow but why would you run this piece after the news on Friday?
Pro bodybuilders face trial in aide’s 2005 death in Vegas
Craig Titus and Kelly Ryan were stars in the world of professional bodybuilding. The married couple posed for magazines and competed at events while trying to turn their chiseled muscles and crafted images into fame and fortune.
It all went to ashes in Dec. 14, 2005, when the charred corpse of their live-in personal assistant, Melissa James, was found in Ryan’s burned-out red Jaguar sedan off a remote desert road outside Las Vegas.
“It’s a situation where two very successful people flamed out in America’s Sin City,” said Glenn Puit, a former newspaper reporter who wrote a book about the case.
“That’s not sensationalizing it,” Puit said. “You’ve got two beautiful, popular people charged with murdering a woman in the most horrific manner possible.”
Titus and Ryan were arrested in a Boston suburb after a nine-day nationwide manhunt. Ryan was getting her nails done at a Stoughton, Mass., salon while Titus waited outside.
Now, after almost 2 1/2 years, Titus and Ryan are due to star in a courtroom drama featuring conflicting tales of sex, drugs, deceit and dueling legal theories that could prompt the Nevada Supreme Court to again postpone the proceedings, set to start Monday.
Titus and Ryan have each pleaded not guilty to charges of murder with a deadly weapon, first-degree kidnapping and third-degree arson handed up by a 15-member Clark County grand jury in May 2006.
“Beaten, drugged, Tasered, injected, strangled and burned,” prosecutor Robert Daskas said. “The charges reflect what the defendants did to Melissa James.”
Daskas said the evidence and testimony against Titus and Ryan is overwhelming. He and prosecutor Josh Tomsheck plan to call about 40 witnesses and spend about two weeks presenting the state case.
But they lack one crucial piece of evidence: the cause of James’ death. A county medical examiner ruled it “undetermined” with a contributory finding of “opiate intoxication.”
The medical examiner, Dr. Piotr Kubiczek, told a grand jury there was duct tape over James’ face, wire across her neck and toxic levels of morphine or a heroin derivative in her body. Hair samples also showed chronic use of amphetamines.
“The key to the trial is probably going to be ’cause of death’ and whether the jury believes beyond a reasonable doubt that a murder took place,” said Puit, 38, now an investigative reporter for the nonprofit Michigan Land Use Institute.
Titus’ and Ryan’s lawyers say the condition of James’ body and conflicting statements by Titus, Ryan and other witnesses make it impossible to say how James died, much less whether it was an accident or a homicide.
“You can’t guess on this. You have to be certain these people were involved,” said Ryan’s lawyer, Michael Cristalli. “Who did it? Did Kelly do it? Did Craig do it? How did they do it? These are all questions I don’t think the state knows.”
The stakes are high. Prosecutors aren’t seeking the death penalty, but Titus, 43, a 1996 bodybuilding champion and Mr. Olympia competitor, and Ryan, 35, a past Fitness America and Fitness International winner, could each face life in prison without parole if convicted.
They’ve remained jailed without bail awaiting trial. They won a state Supreme Court ruling that let lawyers from the same Las Vegas firm represent them, despite prosecutors’ arguments that it was a conflict of interest that could be grounds for appeal.
Another layer of intrigue was added last year, when police said they foiled a jailhouse plot to kill three key witnesses.
Nelson Ronald Brady Jr., 41, was convicted Feb. 5 of three charges of solicitation to commit murder for trying to hire a hit man to rub out Megan Pierson Foley, her husband, Jeremy Foley, and Anthony Gross, a co-defendant in the James case. Brady faces six to 45 years in prison at sentencing, scheduled Tuesday.
Neither Titus nor Ryan was charged in the murder-for-hire plot, and it is not clear jurors will be told about it.
“My clients are good people in a bad situation who exercised bad judgment,” said defense lawyer Marc Saggese.
“But murderers they are not,” Saggese said, “and the evidence will show that.”
Cristalli acknowledged “there are bad facts in the case that we will concede to,” including that Titus and Ryan drove James to the desert in the trunk of Ryan’s car and set it afire.
“But that does not prove first-degree murder,” he said.
Titus initially told police he’d had an affair with James that Ryan didn’t know about.
During interviews with police, Titus and Ryan said they took James into their home to manage a fitness clothing business they wanted to start, but evicted her after they said they discovered she was looting their bank accounts.
Titus told police he and Ryan argued with James and he rented a room for James at a local hotel and bought her an airline ticket to New Jersey for Christmas.
James’ mother, Maura James, said her daughter called and asked to be picked up at the airport on Dec. 14. She never arrived.
“I’m glad it’s finally here,” Maura James, 53, of Lambertville, N.J. said of the trial. “Hopefully, justice will be done. You don’t ever get over losing a child, especially to murder.”
Melissa James lived with her father, brother and sister in Panama City Beach, Fla., where she attended community college and opened a dance studio before moving to Las Vegas in October 2005.
Cristalli said evidence will show James had what he called a “long-standing history with drug abuse.”
Titus also had a drug history. He served almost two years in federal prison after being convicted of selling Ecstasy in October 1995. He got probation, but it was revoked when he tested positive for steroids. He was released in April 1999.
Friends told police that Titus and Ryan used the prescription painkiller OxyContin, and a witnesses testified that Titus once bought $500 worth of morphine. Both Titus and Ryan told police they injected the synthetic opiate Nalbuphine, and that Ryan tried methamphetamine.
“Defendants admit to steroid use and there are steroids within their house,” prosecutors say in pretrial court documents, which also raise the issue of steroid-induced aggression sometimes called “‘roid rage.”
Titus and Ryan told detectives that James overdosed, and they panicked, burned her body and traveled to Massachusetts because they were worried publicity about her death would hurt their carefully cultivated careers.
But by then, police were confirming the Jaguar belonged to Ryan. She was videotaped at 3:31 a.m. Dec. 14 at a Las Vegas Wal-Mart store, using a credit card to buy seven bottles of charcoal lighter fluid and putting them in her car.
A short time later, Gross’ pickup truck and the Jaguar were seen in a video at a gas station on the edge of town. Police say Titus, Ryan and Gross filled a gasoline can and drove into the desert where Titus set the car ablaze. They all drove back to town with Gross.
Gross, 26, was arrested after Titus and Ryan left town. He pleaded not guilty to accessory to murder and third-degree arson, and remains free without bond pending a separate trial. His lawyer, Louis Palazzo, said he did not know if Gross will be called as a witness in the Titus and Ryan case.
Puit said the jury will hear plenty of eyebrow-raising evidence.
“The way Craig Titus and Kelly Ryan acted before and after her death is highly suspicious,” Puit said. “They both acknowledged taking her body out to the desert and setting it on fire.”
“The biggest problem the defendants are going to have in this case is their statements,” Puit added. “They talked and talked and talked to authorities after their arrests.”
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Court Notes - Entry of Plea
May 31st, 2008
The following are the court notes from Friday:
ENTRY OF PLEA (TITUS & RYAN)
Court NOTED the Supreme Court has denied the defendants’ Writ. FURTHER, following all-day negotiation discussions, Court stated the matter has resolved and NEGOTIATIONS are as contained in the Guilty Plea Agreements FILED IN OPEN COURT.
As to Defendant TITUS: DEFT. TITUS EXAMINED and PLED GUILTY to the AMENDED INDICTMENT FILED IN OPEN COURT CHARGING COUNT 1 - MURDER (SECOND DEGREE)(F), COUNT 2 - FIRST DEGREE KIDNAPPING (F) and COUNT 3 - FIRST DEGREE ARSON (F). COURT ACCEPTED plea and ORDERED, matter referred to the Division of Parole and Probation (P & P) and set for sentencing.
As to Defendant RYAN: DEFT. RYAN EXAMINED AND PLED GUILTY PURSUANT to the ALFORD DECISION to COUNT 1 - BATTERY WITH USE OF A DEADLY WEAPON RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL BODILY HARM (F) and GUILTY to COUNT 2 - FIRST DEGREE ARSON (F). Offer of Proof by Mr. Daskas reference Count 1. Court FINDS there is a sufficient factual basis as to Count 1, ACCEPTED plea and ORDERED, matter referred to the Division of Parole and Probation (P & P) and set for sentencing.
Trial date VACATED.
CUSTODY (TITUS & RYAN)
7/18/08 9:00 AM SENTENCING (TITUS & RYAN)
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Craig Titus and Kelly Ryan Plead Out.
May 31st, 2008
It’s been 2.5 years and this chapter ends in the 11th hour. This case is far from over though. Don’t forget there is a civil trial filed by Maura James, Melissa’s mother. The following was posted on the Las Vegas Review Journal Website.
Bodybuilding champions Craig Titus and Kelly Ryan entered 11th-hour guilty pleas on Friday in connection with the December 2005 murder of the couple’s personal assistant.
Titus, 43, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and arson in the death of 28-year-old Melissa James, whose charred body was found in a torched Jaguar sedan in the desert near Blue Diamond Road.
Ryan, 35, pleaded guilty to arson and battery with a deadly weapon with significant bodily harm.
Judge Jackie Glass accepted the pleas Friday evening, bringing to a close the high-profile case that was set to go to trial Monday after years of delays.
“The train was coming down the tracks, and all parties got together to come to an agreement,” Deputy District Attorney Robert Daskas said.
Titus and Ryan are scheduled to be sentenced July 18.
Titus faces 17 to 55 years in prison. Each of Ryan’s charges carry sentences of two to 15 years in prison.
The defense and prosecution worked for seven hours Friday to hammer out the deal in Glass’ courtroom, Titus defense attorney Marc Saggese said.
During negotiations Titus was primarily concerned that his wife might face a murder charge when the case went to trial, Daskas said.
The couple, who had proclaimed their innocence in court and interviews, were facing first-degree murder charges that could have landed them in prison for the rest of their lives.
“We feel that this is a fair resolution for her (Ryan),” Ryan defense attorney Michael Cristalli said. “We’re happy with the outcome.”
Titus and Ryan were once world-class bodybuilders, their chiseled physiques gracing the covers of fitness magazines and Web sites. Titus is a past place-winner in the international Mr. Olympia competition; Ryan is a former Ms. Fitness America and Ms. Olympia runner-up.
But when Las Vegas police found James’ body in the couple’s red Jaguar S-type, they gained notoriety of a different sort.
Police alleged Titus and Ryan attacked James with a Taser, drugged her with morphine, duct-taped her face, restrained her and beat her. They then put her in the trunk of Ryan’s car, drove it into the desert off Blue Diamond Road, and set it on fire, according to authorities.
The burning car, and the body in it, were discovered in the early morning hours of Dec. 14.
Following initial interviews with police, in which they claimed they kicked James out of their house after they discovered she was stealing, the couple allegedly made a series of incriminating statements to friends and left the area.
A nationwide manhunt ensued, culminating in the couple’s arrest near Boston.
Titus in 2005 told police that James had overdosed on drugs at the couple’s southwest Las Vegas house and that he panicked and burned the body to try to avoid negative publicity that would have ruined the couple’s careers.
In an interview with the Review-Journal in 2006, Titus said he and Ryan were “not guilty of murdering anybody.”
“Kelly and I loved Melissa,” Titus said. “She was our friend. She was family. … She was one of my best friends.”
But police uncovered images of Ryan on Wal-Mart surveillance videotape buying lighter fluid.
An autopsy was unable to determine a cause or manner of James’ death, meaning the Clark County coroner’s office never ruled the death a homicide.
Although Titus won’t face life in prison, Daskas said Friday: “We feel like we got what we wanted out of him.”
“We may never know exactly what happened in that house” between James, Titus and Ryan, he said.
“Ultimately, it was Craig Titus who killed her,” he said.
Saggese said Friday that Titus asked for an opportunity to apologize to James’ mother, Maura James, which could occur at his sentencing.
Saggese said he was pleased with the outcome of the deal, which will get Ryan out of prison early enough to have “a life.”
“Craig Titus also may have a life sometime down the road,” Saggese said.
The couple had fired their attorneys once during the case, and Titus had attempted to get a new judge, calling Glass “wicked” and “mean.”
More controversy followed. In February, a man described as an awestruck fan of Titus’ was found guilty of attempting to hire a hitman to kill three key witnesses in the case against Titus.
Titus denied any knowledge of the murder-for-hire plot and hasn’t been charged in the case.
Las Vegas detectives had one of the witnesses pose as if dead and sent the photos to Titus in the hopes that he would wire the hitman money.
Titus simply turned the photos over to his attorney.
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Titus and Ryan Plead Guilty!!!!
May 30th, 2008
We’ve learned via MUSCLEPHONE.com that Titus and Ryan have plead guilty and will avoid trial more details to follow!
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Supereme Court Denies Motion
May 30th, 2008
Our sources are telling us that the trial will proceed as scheduled for June 2, 2008 and the Nevada Supreme Court has denied Titus & Ryan’s motion. Specifics of the ruling aren’t known yet but we’ll let you know when it becomes available.
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Jupiter Entertainment Granted Media Access
May 30th, 2008
Donna Dudek from the Tennessee Entertainment company, Jupiter Entertainment, has been granted media access to the Titus and Ryan Trial. What they plan to do with the trial is not yet known but we’ll keep you posted as it becomes available.
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Titus to call more witnesses
May 29th, 2008
Yesterday Craig Titus’ attorney filed a supplemental witness list they plan to call. Stay tuned as things begin to heat up in the Vegas court room.
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Juror Questionnaire Today
May 29th, 2008
Today at 3pm Judge Jackie Glass with discuss juror questionnaires in her chambers regarding the Titus & Ryan Case.
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Updates from today’s appearance of Titus & Ryan
May 27th, 2008
Today at 8:30am Judge Jackie Glass presided over all pending motions in the Craig Titus and Kelly Ryan Murder trial. Sandra Jeter served as the Court Clerk and Rachelle Hamilton the Reporter/Recorder. Joshua L. Tomsheck and Robert J. Daskas represented the State of Nevada. Craig Titus and his lawyer Mark A. Saggese along with Kelly Ryan and her lawyer Michael V. Cristalli were in attendance. Anthony Gross was not present today.
Notes from today:
Court stated this matter will proceed to trial unless it hears otherwise from the Supreme Court. All counsel announced ready. Colloquy. COURT ORDERED, matter SET for TRIAL. FURTHER, matter SET for counsel and the Court to review the Questionnaires.
5/29/08 3:00 PM AT REQUEST OF COURT: JUROR QUESTIONNAIRE (IN CHAMBERS)
6/2/08 10:00 AM JURY TRIAL
Tomsheck/Daskas; Saggese/Cristalli
40 - 50 witnesses; 10 out-of-state witnesses
3 weeks
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Titus & Ryan ask for their trial to be postponed
May 27th, 2008
The Associated Press is reporting:
Lawyers for professional bodybuilders Craig Titus and Kelly Ryan are again asking the Nevada Supreme Court to intervene and postpone their trial in the slaying of their live-in personal assistant.
A Clark County District Court judge says Tuesday the trial will go on as scheduled next Monday in Las Vegas, unless the state high court intervenes.
Titus and Ryan are accused of murder in the death of 28-year-old Melissa James, who according to an indictment was drugged, bound, shocked with a stun gun and strangled before her corpse was found in the trunk of Ryan’s burned-out red Jaguar in December 2005.
In documents filed Friday with the Supreme Court, defense lawyers call the state case a “kitchen sink theory.”
They say the charges aren’t specific enough about who’s accused of doing what to let them mount a defense.
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Bad News for Titus? Daskas back
May 21st, 2008
John Smith from the Las Vegas Review Journal is reporting that Robert Daskas is back on the Titus trail. You’ll recall Robert Daskas left his District Attorney position to pursue politics. This could be bad news for Titus and Ryan. Daskas is very familiar with this case and has a track record for winning cases. The prosecution just stepped up their side of things with Daskas back on board.
From the Las Vegas Review Journal:
Robert Daskas is back on the job in the Major Violators Unit of the district attorney’s office following his abbreviated foray into politics.
Citing family concerns, Daskas recently aborted his challenge of Rep. Jon Porter in the 3rd Congressional District after raising approximately $500,000. His spot on the Democratic slate was quickly filled by state Sen. Dina Titus.
He’s returned to familiar duty, prosecuting homicide cases, including the upcoming Craig Titus murder trial. By the way, Craig and Dina aren’t related.
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Media Requests to cover the trial
May 21st, 2008
We’ve learned today that there will be a great deal of media interest in and outside of the bodybuilding industry. Court records show that Flex Magazine has been granted permission for camera access for each and every hearing in the Titus & Ryan trial. Major television networks will be on hand at the trial for a variety of programs to be aired this year.
One very interesting media request was submitted by Harry Gantz of View Film. Court records show that Mr. Gantz as requested to video tape the trial. Just who is Harry Gantz and View Film? He produced the reality show “Taxicab Confessions”. His most recent work for entitled “Pleasure for Sale”. Mr. Gantz also produced “Sex with Strangers”. Could a reality show or documentary be in the works with this case? We’ll have to wait and see but all signs appear to point to yes.
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Application to appoint psychologist for Craig Titus
May 20th, 2008
Marc A. Saggese, ESQ. (Craig Titus’ lawyer) files an ex parte application to appoint Dr. David Schmidt as an independent psychologist and for fees in excess of the statutory maximum.
The document reads:
Comes now, Defendant Craig Titus, by and through his attorney of record attorney, Marc. A. Saggese, ESQ., and requests this Honorable Court issue an Order, pursuant to N.R.S. 7.135, appointing Dr. David Schmidt as an independent psychologist in the above-captioned case. Defendant also request that an Order authorizing payment in excess of the statutory maximum not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars($5,00.00) unless prior Court approval be granted.
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Titus & Ryan file list of witnesses
May 20th, 2008
Things are moving forward in the Craig Titus and Kelly Ryan case. The lawyers for both defendants have filed several documents of who they plan to call as witnesses and/or expert witnesses.
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Juror Questionnaire Update
May 5th, 2008
The latest happenings in the court case:
STATUS CHECK: JUROR QUESTIONNAIRE (TITUS & RYAN)
Mr. Tomsheck stated the questionnaire submitted by the defense is quite lengthy, he doesn’t believe Mr. Saggese will object to any of his redactions and he will submit a finalized copy to Chambers by the end of the day. COURT ORDERED, Mr. Tomsheck to add a question regarding the length of the trial, remove the “respectfully submitted” line and the caption and e-mail the finalized questionnaire to Chambers before the end of the day. Matter OFF CALENDAR at this time.
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STATUS CHECK: JUROR QUESTIONNAIRE
April 30th, 2008
The outcome of the last court room appearance by Titus and Ryan is listed below. They will be back in court on May 1, 2008 to review the questionnaire. The pretrial is set for May 27, 2008.
STATUS CHECK: JUROR QUESTIONNAIRE (TITUS & RYAN)
Court stated it has reviewed the Questionnaire submitted. Mr. Tomsheck stated he just received it yesterday and hasn’t had the opportunity to review same. Court NOTED the Questionnaire needs to be submitted to the Jury Commissioner forthwith and ORDERED, matter CONTINUED two days. In the interim, Mr. Tomsheck to make his changes and speak with the defense in an attempt to work out any differences. If counsel cannot agree, the Court will make the decision on the areas of dispute.
CUSTODY (TITUS & RYAN)
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Order approved for independent testing of evidence
April 28th, 2008
The latest document filed in this case:
ORDER APPROVING DEFENDANT CRAIG TITUS AND KELLY RYAN’S MOTION FOR INDEPENDENT TESTING OF EVIDENCE
Joshua Tomsheck, Esq., appearing for the State, Michael V. Cristalli, Esq., appearing on behalf of Defendant Kelly Ryan, and Marc A. Saggese, Esq., appearing on behalf of Defendant Craig M. Titus, on April 1, 2008, before this Court, and good cause for appearing therefore:
IT IS HEARBY ORDERED that Orchid Cellmak conduct an independent DNA testing of the leather sap, identified by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department property Report Designation 4209-2-4-1 and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Forensic Laboratory Report Designation KP6C-Black leather sap.
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Court Notes from Evidentiary Hearing
April 28th, 2008
Court notes from the hearing last week. Titus and Ryan will be back in court tomorrow for a status check regarding juror questionnaire.
EVIDENTIARY HEARING: DEFT. TITUS’S MOTIONS TO SUPPRESS EVIDENCE AND STATEMENTS… DEFT. RYAN’S MOTION TO SUPPRESS EVIDENCE AND STATEMENTS
Court noted it previously ruled the first statements were coming in and today’s hearing is specific to the second and third statements. Mr. Saggese lodged an objection to the Court’s prior ruling. Objection NOTED.
Testimony and exhibits. (See attached worksheets.) Following the testimony of Agent DeLair, Court DIRECTED Mr. Tomsheck to call the agent next week in an attempt to locate a 302 reference Ryan’s request to contact a physician in Las Vegas.
Arguments by counsel.
COURT ORDERED, as to the third statement, Deft. Titus’s Motion to Suppress, GRANTED IN PART; from page 50 on and immediately following the statement, “I want my attorney” is SUPPRESSED; anything prior to that will come in. Mr. Saggese abandoned the remainder of his motion.
Court stated its FINDINGS and ORDERED, as to the 12/23/05 statement/FBI, Deft. Ryan’s Motion to Suppress, DENIED and the statement is coming in.
Court stated its FINDINGS and ORDERED, as to the 12/23/05 statement/FBI, Deft. Titus’s Motion to Suppress, DENIED and the statement is coming in.
Court stated its FINDINGS and ORDERED, as to the 12/24/05 statement, Deft. Ryan’s Motion to Suppress, DENIED and the statement is coming in.
CUSTODY (TITUS & RYAN)
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More info on the civil trial court documents
April 27th, 2008
The opening paragraph of the court document filed on the 15th of April reads:
WHEREAS, the undersigned counsel for the parties hereto and a real parties in interest (including but not limited to Farmers Insurance Exchange and related entities and Balboa Insurance Company, or other homeowners’ insurance counsel for Gross, auto insurer for Gross) are authorized to act on their individual clients…
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Maura James files more paperwork in civil trial
April 25th, 2008
Earlier this month Maura James filed a “STIPULATION AND ORDER TO STAY ACTION PENDING OUTCOME OF CRIMINAL PROCEEDING.” It appears the insurance companies for Anthony Gross may be involved in this matter. What extent that will be remains to be seen. The date of this trial will be set after the criminal trial which is slated for June 2, 2008.
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Progress in the Titus and Ryan Case
April 18th, 2008
All pending motions were heard on April 17, 2008 by Judge Jackie Glass. A number of motions were filed by Craig Titus and Kelly Ryan requesting suppression of evidence as well as prior statements. Titus and Ryan will be in court on April 25, 2008 for an evidentiary hearing. April 29th there will be a status check on the juror questionnaire. If there are no further delays the trial will begin soon.
Pretrial is slated for May 27, 2008 and the trial is set to begin June 2, 2008.
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Update on all pending motions
April 4th, 2008
An update on the pending motions in the Titus & Ryan case. The next time the two are scheduled to be in court is April 17, 2008.
DEFT. TITUS’S MOTION FOR INDEPENDENT TESTING OF EVIDENCE … DEFT. RYAN’S JOINDER TO DEFT. TITUS’S MOTION FOR INDEPENDENT TESTING OF EVIDENCE
June 3rd, 2008
Despite his father’s efforts to help save him, Ron Brady Jr was found guilty today. The following was posted on kvbc.com:
Accomplice prosecuted in Titus murder case
36-year-old Nelson Ronald Brady, Jr. was found guilty of three counts of solicitation to commit murder for attempting to hire a hit man to kill three key witnesses in the Craig Titus and Kelly Ryan murder case.
Titus and Ryan are charged with killing Melissa James, their personal assistant in December 2005. Megan Pierson Foley and Jeremy Foley testified that Titus and Ryan discussed details of the murder with them, and Anthony Gross allegedly helped dispose of James’ body.
Brady reportedly met Titus while serving time in jail for another crime and approached inmate Deem Cassim about planning the hit on the witnesses. Cassim informed police about Brady’s plans and helped authorities to build a case against him.
Evidence against Brady included recorded jailhouse interviews and video footage of Brady discussing the hit with an undercover police detective.
Brady denied the allegations, stating that he only intended to discredit the reliability of the witnesses by implicating them in a drug sting and either pay them off or threaten them into not testifying.
After being arrested, police say Brady confessed to orchestrating the killings during a recorded interview, but Brady maintains he only told police about the hit to end the interview.
Brady faces two to 15 years in jail.
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Titus wants to speak to Maura James
June 2nd, 2008
Titus tells the reporter that he wants to “respect the court” and share what happened with Maura James. Listen to Titus go from one side to another during the entire interview http://www.lasvegasnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=8413904
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Craig Titus says he’s guilty but he’s no killer
June 2nd, 2008
Well this should bode well for Titus when it comes to sentencing next month. Titus is claiming he didn’t kill Melissa James and that he wants to tell Maura James that he loved her daughter. This story was posted on kvbc.com:
Craig Titus says he’s willing to sacrifice his freedom for his wife, Kelly Ryan.
In his first interview with News 3 since his surprising guilty plea, Titus denied claims that he murdered his former assistant, Melissa James, but said the plea deal was the only way to spare Ryan a lengthy prison sentence.
“I never said I killed Melissa James,” Titus told News 3’s Dana Wagner, “I said i would plead guilty if you give my wife an oppportunity to have a life.”
Titus pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree murder, 1st degree kidnapping, and 1st degree arson. Ryan pleaded guilty to arson, and entered an Alford plea to battery with a deadly weapon. The Alford plea means Ryan won’t admit guilt, but admits there is enough evidence to convict her.
Once superstars of professional bodybuilding, the couple were named the key suspects after James’ body was found in Ryan’s burned-out Sedan in December 2005.
Nine days later they were arrested at a Boston beauty salon.
Looking at Titus today, he appears to have lost the form that won him multiple bodybuilding championships, and it’s likely he’ll never again compete on the professional level.
It’s a fact he seems resigned to, admitting that he’s made some “bad decisions”, and that he’s ready to pay the price.
Titus wouldn’t explain the details of Melissa James’ murder, but he says he never wanted any harm to come to her, and he wishes to explain what happened to her mother.
“I want to tell her that I loved her daughter and want to talk to her and tell her it’s nothing like they painted it out to be.”
Titus may get his chance in court, he and Kelly Ryan will be sentenced July 18.
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Las Vegas Sun Out to Lunch?
June 1st, 2008
Someone might want to let the The Las Vegas Sun know there will be no trial. The following was posted on their web site today. Clearly they had been working on the story for the trial that was set to begin tomorrow but why would you run this piece after the news on Friday?
Pro bodybuilders face trial in aide’s 2005 death in Vegas
Craig Titus and Kelly Ryan were stars in the world of professional bodybuilding. The married couple posed for magazines and competed at events while trying to turn their chiseled muscles and crafted images into fame and fortune.
It all went to ashes in Dec. 14, 2005, when the charred corpse of their live-in personal assistant, Melissa James, was found in Ryan’s burned-out red Jaguar sedan off a remote desert road outside Las Vegas.
“It’s a situation where two very successful people flamed out in America’s Sin City,” said Glenn Puit, a former newspaper reporter who wrote a book about the case.
“That’s not sensationalizing it,” Puit said. “You’ve got two beautiful, popular people charged with murdering a woman in the most horrific manner possible.”
Titus and Ryan were arrested in a Boston suburb after a nine-day nationwide manhunt. Ryan was getting her nails done at a Stoughton, Mass., salon while Titus waited outside.
Now, after almost 2 1/2 years, Titus and Ryan are due to star in a courtroom drama featuring conflicting tales of sex, drugs, deceit and dueling legal theories that could prompt the Nevada Supreme Court to again postpone the proceedings, set to start Monday.
Titus and Ryan have each pleaded not guilty to charges of murder with a deadly weapon, first-degree kidnapping and third-degree arson handed up by a 15-member Clark County grand jury in May 2006.
“Beaten, drugged, Tasered, injected, strangled and burned,” prosecutor Robert Daskas said. “The charges reflect what the defendants did to Melissa James.”
Daskas said the evidence and testimony against Titus and Ryan is overwhelming. He and prosecutor Josh Tomsheck plan to call about 40 witnesses and spend about two weeks presenting the state case.
But they lack one crucial piece of evidence: the cause of James’ death. A county medical examiner ruled it “undetermined” with a contributory finding of “opiate intoxication.”
The medical examiner, Dr. Piotr Kubiczek, told a grand jury there was duct tape over James’ face, wire across her neck and toxic levels of morphine or a heroin derivative in her body. Hair samples also showed chronic use of amphetamines.
“The key to the trial is probably going to be ’cause of death’ and whether the jury believes beyond a reasonable doubt that a murder took place,” said Puit, 38, now an investigative reporter for the nonprofit Michigan Land Use Institute.
Titus’ and Ryan’s lawyers say the condition of James’ body and conflicting statements by Titus, Ryan and other witnesses make it impossible to say how James died, much less whether it was an accident or a homicide.
“You can’t guess on this. You have to be certain these people were involved,” said Ryan’s lawyer, Michael Cristalli. “Who did it? Did Kelly do it? Did Craig do it? How did they do it? These are all questions I don’t think the state knows.”
The stakes are high. Prosecutors aren’t seeking the death penalty, but Titus, 43, a 1996 bodybuilding champion and Mr. Olympia competitor, and Ryan, 35, a past Fitness America and Fitness International winner, could each face life in prison without parole if convicted.
They’ve remained jailed without bail awaiting trial. They won a state Supreme Court ruling that let lawyers from the same Las Vegas firm represent them, despite prosecutors’ arguments that it was a conflict of interest that could be grounds for appeal.
Another layer of intrigue was added last year, when police said they foiled a jailhouse plot to kill three key witnesses.
Nelson Ronald Brady Jr., 41, was convicted Feb. 5 of three charges of solicitation to commit murder for trying to hire a hit man to rub out Megan Pierson Foley, her husband, Jeremy Foley, and Anthony Gross, a co-defendant in the James case. Brady faces six to 45 years in prison at sentencing, scheduled Tuesday.
Neither Titus nor Ryan was charged in the murder-for-hire plot, and it is not clear jurors will be told about it.
“My clients are good people in a bad situation who exercised bad judgment,” said defense lawyer Marc Saggese.
“But murderers they are not,” Saggese said, “and the evidence will show that.”
Cristalli acknowledged “there are bad facts in the case that we will concede to,” including that Titus and Ryan drove James to the desert in the trunk of Ryan’s car and set it afire.
“But that does not prove first-degree murder,” he said.
Titus initially told police he’d had an affair with James that Ryan didn’t know about.
During interviews with police, Titus and Ryan said they took James into their home to manage a fitness clothing business they wanted to start, but evicted her after they said they discovered she was looting their bank accounts.
Titus told police he and Ryan argued with James and he rented a room for James at a local hotel and bought her an airline ticket to New Jersey for Christmas.
James’ mother, Maura James, said her daughter called and asked to be picked up at the airport on Dec. 14. She never arrived.
“I’m glad it’s finally here,” Maura James, 53, of Lambertville, N.J. said of the trial. “Hopefully, justice will be done. You don’t ever get over losing a child, especially to murder.”
Melissa James lived with her father, brother and sister in Panama City Beach, Fla., where she attended community college and opened a dance studio before moving to Las Vegas in October 2005.
Cristalli said evidence will show James had what he called a “long-standing history with drug abuse.”
Titus also had a drug history. He served almost two years in federal prison after being convicted of selling Ecstasy in October 1995. He got probation, but it was revoked when he tested positive for steroids. He was released in April 1999.
Friends told police that Titus and Ryan used the prescription painkiller OxyContin, and a witnesses testified that Titus once bought $500 worth of morphine. Both Titus and Ryan told police they injected the synthetic opiate Nalbuphine, and that Ryan tried methamphetamine.
“Defendants admit to steroid use and there are steroids within their house,” prosecutors say in pretrial court documents, which also raise the issue of steroid-induced aggression sometimes called “‘roid rage.”
Titus and Ryan told detectives that James overdosed, and they panicked, burned her body and traveled to Massachusetts because they were worried publicity about her death would hurt their carefully cultivated careers.
But by then, police were confirming the Jaguar belonged to Ryan. She was videotaped at 3:31 a.m. Dec. 14 at a Las Vegas Wal-Mart store, using a credit card to buy seven bottles of charcoal lighter fluid and putting them in her car.
A short time later, Gross’ pickup truck and the Jaguar were seen in a video at a gas station on the edge of town. Police say Titus, Ryan and Gross filled a gasoline can and drove into the desert where Titus set the car ablaze. They all drove back to town with Gross.
Gross, 26, was arrested after Titus and Ryan left town. He pleaded not guilty to accessory to murder and third-degree arson, and remains free without bond pending a separate trial. His lawyer, Louis Palazzo, said he did not know if Gross will be called as a witness in the Titus and Ryan case.
Puit said the jury will hear plenty of eyebrow-raising evidence.
“The way Craig Titus and Kelly Ryan acted before and after her death is highly suspicious,” Puit said. “They both acknowledged taking her body out to the desert and setting it on fire.”
“The biggest problem the defendants are going to have in this case is their statements,” Puit added. “They talked and talked and talked to authorities after their arrests.”
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Court Notes - Entry of Plea
May 31st, 2008
The following are the court notes from Friday:
ENTRY OF PLEA (TITUS & RYAN)
Court NOTED the Supreme Court has denied the defendants’ Writ. FURTHER, following all-day negotiation discussions, Court stated the matter has resolved and NEGOTIATIONS are as contained in the Guilty Plea Agreements FILED IN OPEN COURT.
As to Defendant TITUS: DEFT. TITUS EXAMINED and PLED GUILTY to the AMENDED INDICTMENT FILED IN OPEN COURT CHARGING COUNT 1 - MURDER (SECOND DEGREE)(F), COUNT 2 - FIRST DEGREE KIDNAPPING (F) and COUNT 3 - FIRST DEGREE ARSON (F). COURT ACCEPTED plea and ORDERED, matter referred to the Division of Parole and Probation (P & P) and set for sentencing.
As to Defendant RYAN: DEFT. RYAN EXAMINED AND PLED GUILTY PURSUANT to the ALFORD DECISION to COUNT 1 - BATTERY WITH USE OF A DEADLY WEAPON RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL BODILY HARM (F) and GUILTY to COUNT 2 - FIRST DEGREE ARSON (F). Offer of Proof by Mr. Daskas reference Count 1. Court FINDS there is a sufficient factual basis as to Count 1, ACCEPTED plea and ORDERED, matter referred to the Division of Parole and Probation (P & P) and set for sentencing.
Trial date VACATED.
CUSTODY (TITUS & RYAN)
7/18/08 9:00 AM SENTENCING (TITUS & RYAN)
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Craig Titus and Kelly Ryan Plead Out.
May 31st, 2008
It’s been 2.5 years and this chapter ends in the 11th hour. This case is far from over though. Don’t forget there is a civil trial filed by Maura James, Melissa’s mother. The following was posted on the Las Vegas Review Journal Website.
Bodybuilding champions Craig Titus and Kelly Ryan entered 11th-hour guilty pleas on Friday in connection with the December 2005 murder of the couple’s personal assistant.
Titus, 43, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and arson in the death of 28-year-old Melissa James, whose charred body was found in a torched Jaguar sedan in the desert near Blue Diamond Road.
Ryan, 35, pleaded guilty to arson and battery with a deadly weapon with significant bodily harm.
Judge Jackie Glass accepted the pleas Friday evening, bringing to a close the high-profile case that was set to go to trial Monday after years of delays.
“The train was coming down the tracks, and all parties got together to come to an agreement,” Deputy District Attorney Robert Daskas said.
Titus and Ryan are scheduled to be sentenced July 18.
Titus faces 17 to 55 years in prison. Each of Ryan’s charges carry sentences of two to 15 years in prison.
The defense and prosecution worked for seven hours Friday to hammer out the deal in Glass’ courtroom, Titus defense attorney Marc Saggese said.
During negotiations Titus was primarily concerned that his wife might face a murder charge when the case went to trial, Daskas said.
The couple, who had proclaimed their innocence in court and interviews, were facing first-degree murder charges that could have landed them in prison for the rest of their lives.
“We feel that this is a fair resolution for her (Ryan),” Ryan defense attorney Michael Cristalli said. “We’re happy with the outcome.”
Titus and Ryan were once world-class bodybuilders, their chiseled physiques gracing the covers of fitness magazines and Web sites. Titus is a past place-winner in the international Mr. Olympia competition; Ryan is a former Ms. Fitness America and Ms. Olympia runner-up.
But when Las Vegas police found James’ body in the couple’s red Jaguar S-type, they gained notoriety of a different sort.
Police alleged Titus and Ryan attacked James with a Taser, drugged her with morphine, duct-taped her face, restrained her and beat her. They then put her in the trunk of Ryan’s car, drove it into the desert off Blue Diamond Road, and set it on fire, according to authorities.
The burning car, and the body in it, were discovered in the early morning hours of Dec. 14.
Following initial interviews with police, in which they claimed they kicked James out of their house after they discovered she was stealing, the couple allegedly made a series of incriminating statements to friends and left the area.
A nationwide manhunt ensued, culminating in the couple’s arrest near Boston.
Titus in 2005 told police that James had overdosed on drugs at the couple’s southwest Las Vegas house and that he panicked and burned the body to try to avoid negative publicity that would have ruined the couple’s careers.
In an interview with the Review-Journal in 2006, Titus said he and Ryan were “not guilty of murdering anybody.”
“Kelly and I loved Melissa,” Titus said. “She was our friend. She was family. … She was one of my best friends.”
But police uncovered images of Ryan on Wal-Mart surveillance videotape buying lighter fluid.
An autopsy was unable to determine a cause or manner of James’ death, meaning the Clark County coroner’s office never ruled the death a homicide.
Although Titus won’t face life in prison, Daskas said Friday: “We feel like we got what we wanted out of him.”
“We may never know exactly what happened in that house” between James, Titus and Ryan, he said.
“Ultimately, it was Craig Titus who killed her,” he said.
Saggese said Friday that Titus asked for an opportunity to apologize to James’ mother, Maura James, which could occur at his sentencing.
Saggese said he was pleased with the outcome of the deal, which will get Ryan out of prison early enough to have “a life.”
“Craig Titus also may have a life sometime down the road,” Saggese said.
The couple had fired their attorneys once during the case, and Titus had attempted to get a new judge, calling Glass “wicked” and “mean.”
More controversy followed. In February, a man described as an awestruck fan of Titus’ was found guilty of attempting to hire a hitman to kill three key witnesses in the case against Titus.
Titus denied any knowledge of the murder-for-hire plot and hasn’t been charged in the case.
Las Vegas detectives had one of the witnesses pose as if dead and sent the photos to Titus in the hopes that he would wire the hitman money.
Titus simply turned the photos over to his attorney.
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Titus and Ryan Plead Guilty!!!!
May 30th, 2008
We’ve learned via MUSCLEPHONE.com that Titus and Ryan have plead guilty and will avoid trial more details to follow!
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Supereme Court Denies Motion
May 30th, 2008
Our sources are telling us that the trial will proceed as scheduled for June 2, 2008 and the Nevada Supreme Court has denied Titus & Ryan’s motion. Specifics of the ruling aren’t known yet but we’ll let you know when it becomes available.
Posted in NEWS | 2 Comments »
Jupiter Entertainment Granted Media Access
May 30th, 2008
Donna Dudek from the Tennessee Entertainment company, Jupiter Entertainment, has been granted media access to the Titus and Ryan Trial. What they plan to do with the trial is not yet known but we’ll keep you posted as it becomes available.
Posted in NEWS | 3 Comments »
Titus to call more witnesses
May 29th, 2008
Yesterday Craig Titus’ attorney filed a supplemental witness list they plan to call. Stay tuned as things begin to heat up in the Vegas court room.
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Juror Questionnaire Today
May 29th, 2008
Today at 3pm Judge Jackie Glass with discuss juror questionnaires in her chambers regarding the Titus & Ryan Case.
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Updates from today’s appearance of Titus & Ryan
May 27th, 2008
Today at 8:30am Judge Jackie Glass presided over all pending motions in the Craig Titus and Kelly Ryan Murder trial. Sandra Jeter served as the Court Clerk and Rachelle Hamilton the Reporter/Recorder. Joshua L. Tomsheck and Robert J. Daskas represented the State of Nevada. Craig Titus and his lawyer Mark A. Saggese along with Kelly Ryan and her lawyer Michael V. Cristalli were in attendance. Anthony Gross was not present today.
Notes from today:
Court stated this matter will proceed to trial unless it hears otherwise from the Supreme Court. All counsel announced ready. Colloquy. COURT ORDERED, matter SET for TRIAL. FURTHER, matter SET for counsel and the Court to review the Questionnaires.
5/29/08 3:00 PM AT REQUEST OF COURT: JUROR QUESTIONNAIRE (IN CHAMBERS)
6/2/08 10:00 AM JURY TRIAL
Tomsheck/Daskas; Saggese/Cristalli
40 - 50 witnesses; 10 out-of-state witnesses
3 weeks
Posted in NEWS | 18 Comments »
Titus & Ryan ask for their trial to be postponed
May 27th, 2008
The Associated Press is reporting:
Lawyers for professional bodybuilders Craig Titus and Kelly Ryan are again asking the Nevada Supreme Court to intervene and postpone their trial in the slaying of their live-in personal assistant.
A Clark County District Court judge says Tuesday the trial will go on as scheduled next Monday in Las Vegas, unless the state high court intervenes.
Titus and Ryan are accused of murder in the death of 28-year-old Melissa James, who according to an indictment was drugged, bound, shocked with a stun gun and strangled before her corpse was found in the trunk of Ryan’s burned-out red Jaguar in December 2005.
In documents filed Friday with the Supreme Court, defense lawyers call the state case a “kitchen sink theory.”
They say the charges aren’t specific enough about who’s accused of doing what to let them mount a defense.
Posted in NEWS | 6 Comments »
Bad News for Titus? Daskas back
May 21st, 2008
John Smith from the Las Vegas Review Journal is reporting that Robert Daskas is back on the Titus trail. You’ll recall Robert Daskas left his District Attorney position to pursue politics. This could be bad news for Titus and Ryan. Daskas is very familiar with this case and has a track record for winning cases. The prosecution just stepped up their side of things with Daskas back on board.
From the Las Vegas Review Journal:
Robert Daskas is back on the job in the Major Violators Unit of the district attorney’s office following his abbreviated foray into politics.
Citing family concerns, Daskas recently aborted his challenge of Rep. Jon Porter in the 3rd Congressional District after raising approximately $500,000. His spot on the Democratic slate was quickly filled by state Sen. Dina Titus.
He’s returned to familiar duty, prosecuting homicide cases, including the upcoming Craig Titus murder trial. By the way, Craig and Dina aren’t related.
Posted in NEWS | 7 Comments »
Media Requests to cover the trial
May 21st, 2008
We’ve learned today that there will be a great deal of media interest in and outside of the bodybuilding industry. Court records show that Flex Magazine has been granted permission for camera access for each and every hearing in the Titus & Ryan trial. Major television networks will be on hand at the trial for a variety of programs to be aired this year.
One very interesting media request was submitted by Harry Gantz of View Film. Court records show that Mr. Gantz as requested to video tape the trial. Just who is Harry Gantz and View Film? He produced the reality show “Taxicab Confessions”. His most recent work for entitled “Pleasure for Sale”. Mr. Gantz also produced “Sex with Strangers”. Could a reality show or documentary be in the works with this case? We’ll have to wait and see but all signs appear to point to yes.
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Application to appoint psychologist for Craig Titus
May 20th, 2008
Marc A. Saggese, ESQ. (Craig Titus’ lawyer) files an ex parte application to appoint Dr. David Schmidt as an independent psychologist and for fees in excess of the statutory maximum.
The document reads:
Comes now, Defendant Craig Titus, by and through his attorney of record attorney, Marc. A. Saggese, ESQ., and requests this Honorable Court issue an Order, pursuant to N.R.S. 7.135, appointing Dr. David Schmidt as an independent psychologist in the above-captioned case. Defendant also request that an Order authorizing payment in excess of the statutory maximum not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars($5,00.00) unless prior Court approval be granted.
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Titus & Ryan file list of witnesses
May 20th, 2008
Things are moving forward in the Craig Titus and Kelly Ryan case. The lawyers for both defendants have filed several documents of who they plan to call as witnesses and/or expert witnesses.
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Juror Questionnaire Update
May 5th, 2008
The latest happenings in the court case:
STATUS CHECK: JUROR QUESTIONNAIRE (TITUS & RYAN)
Mr. Tomsheck stated the questionnaire submitted by the defense is quite lengthy, he doesn’t believe Mr. Saggese will object to any of his redactions and he will submit a finalized copy to Chambers by the end of the day. COURT ORDERED, Mr. Tomsheck to add a question regarding the length of the trial, remove the “respectfully submitted” line and the caption and e-mail the finalized questionnaire to Chambers before the end of the day. Matter OFF CALENDAR at this time.
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STATUS CHECK: JUROR QUESTIONNAIRE
April 30th, 2008
The outcome of the last court room appearance by Titus and Ryan is listed below. They will be back in court on May 1, 2008 to review the questionnaire. The pretrial is set for May 27, 2008.
STATUS CHECK: JUROR QUESTIONNAIRE (TITUS & RYAN)
Court stated it has reviewed the Questionnaire submitted. Mr. Tomsheck stated he just received it yesterday and hasn’t had the opportunity to review same. Court NOTED the Questionnaire needs to be submitted to the Jury Commissioner forthwith and ORDERED, matter CONTINUED two days. In the interim, Mr. Tomsheck to make his changes and speak with the defense in an attempt to work out any differences. If counsel cannot agree, the Court will make the decision on the areas of dispute.
CUSTODY (TITUS & RYAN)
Posted in NEWS | 14 Comments »
Order approved for independent testing of evidence
April 28th, 2008
The latest document filed in this case:
ORDER APPROVING DEFENDANT CRAIG TITUS AND KELLY RYAN’S MOTION FOR INDEPENDENT TESTING OF EVIDENCE
Joshua Tomsheck, Esq., appearing for the State, Michael V. Cristalli, Esq., appearing on behalf of Defendant Kelly Ryan, and Marc A. Saggese, Esq., appearing on behalf of Defendant Craig M. Titus, on April 1, 2008, before this Court, and good cause for appearing therefore:
IT IS HEARBY ORDERED that Orchid Cellmak conduct an independent DNA testing of the leather sap, identified by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department property Report Designation 4209-2-4-1 and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Forensic Laboratory Report Designation KP6C-Black leather sap.
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Court Notes from Evidentiary Hearing
April 28th, 2008
Court notes from the hearing last week. Titus and Ryan will be back in court tomorrow for a status check regarding juror questionnaire.
EVIDENTIARY HEARING: DEFT. TITUS’S MOTIONS TO SUPPRESS EVIDENCE AND STATEMENTS… DEFT. RYAN’S MOTION TO SUPPRESS EVIDENCE AND STATEMENTS
Court noted it previously ruled the first statements were coming in and today’s hearing is specific to the second and third statements. Mr. Saggese lodged an objection to the Court’s prior ruling. Objection NOTED.
Testimony and exhibits. (See attached worksheets.) Following the testimony of Agent DeLair, Court DIRECTED Mr. Tomsheck to call the agent next week in an attempt to locate a 302 reference Ryan’s request to contact a physician in Las Vegas.
Arguments by counsel.
COURT ORDERED, as to the third statement, Deft. Titus’s Motion to Suppress, GRANTED IN PART; from page 50 on and immediately following the statement, “I want my attorney” is SUPPRESSED; anything prior to that will come in. Mr. Saggese abandoned the remainder of his motion.
Court stated its FINDINGS and ORDERED, as to the 12/23/05 statement/FBI, Deft. Ryan’s Motion to Suppress, DENIED and the statement is coming in.
Court stated its FINDINGS and ORDERED, as to the 12/23/05 statement/FBI, Deft. Titus’s Motion to Suppress, DENIED and the statement is coming in.
Court stated its FINDINGS and ORDERED, as to the 12/24/05 statement, Deft. Ryan’s Motion to Suppress, DENIED and the statement is coming in.
CUSTODY (TITUS & RYAN)
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More info on the civil trial court documents
April 27th, 2008
The opening paragraph of the court document filed on the 15th of April reads:
WHEREAS, the undersigned counsel for the parties hereto and a real parties in interest (including but not limited to Farmers Insurance Exchange and related entities and Balboa Insurance Company, or other homeowners’ insurance counsel for Gross, auto insurer for Gross) are authorized to act on their individual clients…
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Maura James files more paperwork in civil trial
April 25th, 2008
Earlier this month Maura James filed a “STIPULATION AND ORDER TO STAY ACTION PENDING OUTCOME OF CRIMINAL PROCEEDING.” It appears the insurance companies for Anthony Gross may be involved in this matter. What extent that will be remains to be seen. The date of this trial will be set after the criminal trial which is slated for June 2, 2008.
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Progress in the Titus and Ryan Case
April 18th, 2008
All pending motions were heard on April 17, 2008 by Judge Jackie Glass. A number of motions were filed by Craig Titus and Kelly Ryan requesting suppression of evidence as well as prior statements. Titus and Ryan will be in court on April 25, 2008 for an evidentiary hearing. April 29th there will be a status check on the juror questionnaire. If there are no further delays the trial will begin soon.
Pretrial is slated for May 27, 2008 and the trial is set to begin June 2, 2008.
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Update on all pending motions
April 4th, 2008
An update on the pending motions in the Titus & Ryan case. The next time the two are scheduled to be in court is April 17, 2008.
DEFT. TITUS’S MOTION FOR INDEPENDENT TESTING OF EVIDENCE … DEFT. RYAN’S JOINDER TO DEFT. TITUS’S MOTION FOR INDEPENDENT TESTING OF EVIDENCE
irishpride
MuscleChemistry Registered Member
so true, they will def talk about the aas but not the crystal meth and morphine addictions amoung various other rec drugs..
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