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Top Story

Jun. 13, 2007

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT

Cleveland enters insanity plea in fatal crash case

By CHRISTINA EICHELKRAUT
PVT



David Cleveland

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David Cleveland plead not guilty by reason of insanity for his involvement in a car accident last Thanksgiving Day that killed one person and severely injured three others.

His trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 23 and could last four days.

Cleveland was involved in a head-on collision that killed Jeremy Moon, 27, of Fontana, Calif.

In addition, Jeremy Moon's wife, Anna Moon, and his 15-year-old cousin, Crystal Lopez, were severely injured in the accident.

The long-time Pahrump resident is facing six felony charges, which include four of driving under the influence of a controlled substance causing death and bodily harm and two for unlawful use of a controlled substance.

Cleveland's plea was entered in the wake of his recent return from the Lakes Crossing medical facility in northern Nevada, where he underwent a court-ordered psychological evaluation.

District Attorney Bob Beckett said doctors at that facility deemed Cleveland competent to enter a plea and stand trial.

In previous court appearances, Cleveland's defense lawyer, Osvaldo Fumo, has repeatedly said that his client suffers from severe bipolar disorder and has requested continuances on the basis of Cleveland's alleged inability to assist the lawyer his own defense.

Testimony given by sheriff's deputies at Cleveland's preliminary hearing last month revealed that after the accident Cleveland's blood and urine tested positive for marijuana and cocaine, as well as oxazepam and temazepam, both medications that can cause drowsiness.

In addition, the preliminary hearing revealed that Cleveland offered to pay the passenger of his Cadillac Escalade sport utility vehicle, Raymond Hancock, $1000 after the accident and promised him additional payments of $500 a week.

Cleveland is currently being held on $50 million bail, set by Justice of the Peace Tina Brisebill at his preliminary hearing.














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