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Murder Charges In Nevada Against Drivers Spurs Legal Debate

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Nevada Supreme Court has denied a request to dismiss a murder charge filed against a driver who caused a deadly crash as prosecutors and public defenders clash over the new practice.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports the court on Wednesday denied the Clark County public defender's emergency motion, but said the underlying legal question remains unsettled.

 

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The case is one of at least seven murder charges filed by Clark County prosecutors against motorists who caused deadly crashes since 2017 as they try to send a message about the dangers of driving drunk or high on drugs.

 

Defense attorneys contend the law doesn't allow for a murder charge in those cases.

 

Clark County District Attorney Steven Wolfson says charging a driver whose reckless behavior causes death with second-degree murder isn't against the law.

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