- Dennis Nikrasch Death
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- Dennis Nikrasch
Dennis argues the prosecution improperly (1) withheld material impeachment evidence, and (2) engaged in prosecutorial misconduct at closing argument. They both contend the use of a deceased witness' prior testimony violated their confrontation rights. We reject these contentions and affirm. Nikrasch was convicted in 1986 of scamming $10 million from Las Vegas casinos by rigging slot machines between 1976 and 1979. He was released on parole in January 1991 and returned to the trade.
LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- A federal grand jury Thursday indicted 10 people on conspiracy and interstate transportation charges in what prosecutors called one of the major slot machine cheating rings in the state's history.
The indictment charged the 10 with using keys, magnets, 'blocks,' wires and other devices to manipulate the reels of slot machines into a winning jackpot position at a number of casinos.
Defendants Don Davis and Joanne Wyse appeared before U.S. Magistrate Philip Pro who set bail for each at $500,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ruth Cohen argued for $1 million for each, saying they were high risks for flight. She said the indictment, covering a period from March 1, 1976 to January 1979, charges the ring cheated slot machines in the state for $300,000, but authorities believe the members of the group actually got away with more than $10 million.
Dennis Nikrasch Death
'Davis has been known to the State Gaming Control Board for more than 20 years,' said the prosecutor. 'Davis has been involved in a number of fraudulent jackpots.'
She said Ms. Wyse was either Davis' common-law wife or they were married.
'Neither is gainfully employed and they purchased a home on the Sahara Country Club yesterday for $150,000 cash under an assumed name.'
The assistant U.S. Attorney called the two defendants 'masters of disguises' who had numerous pieces of identification under various names.
'Davis has at least seven other alEases,' said Ms. Cohen. 'He has no ties with the community except for ripping off slot machines.'
The prosecutor said Ms. Wyse acted as a lookout while the other defendants did the actual slot cheating.
Defense attorney Stephen Stein argued for lower bail, saying Davis and Ms. Wyse each had one conviction years ago in Reno and during a state trial for slot cheating in 1979 and 1980 in Las Vegas, Davis made all of his court appearances before being acquitted.
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He said Davis, 55, had lived off-and-on in Las Vegas for the past 30 years and made his living by playing cards and other forms of gambling.
Dennis Nikrasch Obituary
Others named in the 10-count indictment were: Dennis Nikrasch, Terrance Nikrasch, Susan Holguin, Agnes Shabazian, April Shabazian, Richard Charlesworth, Nadine Charlesworth and Joe Holguin, Jr.
Dennis Nikrasch
The indictment charged the various defendants with: conspiracy, interstate transportation of goods obtained by fraud, interstate travel with the intent to distribute the proceeds of an unlawful activity, interstate travel in aid of racketeering and aiding and abetting.