HORACE LANGFORD JR. / PVT Jim Petell appears in court Thursday for his trial on a harassment charge. Advertisement

James T. Petell, chairman of the Public Lands Advisory Board, appeared in Pahrump Justice Court to face a misdemeanor charge of harassment yesterday afternoon.

Petell, who represented himself in court, ultimately decided to retain counsel and requested a continuance after several witnesses had been called to the stand.

The trial will now take place on Sept. 11 at 1:30 p.m.

Throughout the proceedings, Petell was constantly reminded by Justice of the Peace Tina Brisebell that he could only ask witnesses direct questions and could not testify while questioning a witness.

Petell was charged with harassment by Len Ferne, a resident who lives on property adjacent to public land, which he said was plagued by shooters firing weapons at vehicles, stop signs, and various other properties near the public land.

When the Bureau of Land Management announced they were going to close the land to shooters, Fern said he received a confrontational visit from Petell.

Fern testified in court that he saw Petell and Sam Jones driving along his street, and saw flashes coming from Petell's sport utility vehicle, which he thought were from photographs being taken.

When Petell and Jones arrived at the gate to his property, Fern said Petell told him through the gate that he was looking for the person responsible for the closure of the public land.

Fern told the court he asked Petell what he would do when he found him.

According to Fern's testimony, Petell said he would kill that person.

When asked by prosecutor Joe Muckleroy if he thought the threat was serious, Fern answered that he thought it was "dead serious real."

Petell attempted to cross examine Fern, but was interrupted numerous times for not following court procedure as well as several sustained objections to his questions.

The advisory board chairman also attempted to submit numerous pieces of evidence, including a T-shirt he brought to court to ask Fern if that was the shirt he was wearing when he arrived at the house.

In addition, Petell attempted to submit a town board back-up packet, which included an e-mail sent to the town board by Fern.

The court did not allow it to be submitted, however, as it was a hearsay document.

Brisebell asked Petell if he wanted to retain counsel and reminded him that the court had other business to conduct and other people who also had rights.

Petell replied, "Give me some time and I can get through this."

Petell called Sam Jones to the stand as his own witness.

Jones, who was with him at the time of the confrontation, testified that he and Petell were driving along the perimeter of the public land video taping it to show that shooting had not caused damage to the property.

The man added that he told Petell he knew Fern and pointed out what house he lived in because a friend of his had done work there.

In addition, Jones testified that he and Petell were on the road in front of Fern's gate but not on the property.

At that point, Petell told the court he wanted to retain counsel.