LAS VEGAS (AP) — A Nevada judge will again be asked to decide which justice of the peace should hear a preliminary hearing in the case of former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III, accused of murdering a woman at a drunk car accident in 2021.
Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Harmony Letizia told Ruggs and his attorneys Monday that she does not have the authority to decide whether she or another judge should preside over the hearing to decide whether there is sufficient evidence to warrant that Ruggs stand trial on charges of reckless driving and driving under the influence resulting in death.
Ruggs’ attorneys, David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, said they will retake the matter in Clark County District Court, where a judge in January said the case should be assigned to Las Vegas DUI specialty court.
But the judge hearing those cases backed out, saying he had spoken about Ruggs’ case during his 2022 re-election campaign.
Prosecutors plan to present evidence that Ruggs had a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit and that his Chevrolet Corvette was speeding 155 mph before the fiery crash that killed a 23-year-old woman and her dog .
The Raiders quickly released the former first-round draft pick, who was in his second season with the team.
Ruggs, 24, is under house arrest. He could face up to 50 years in prison if convicted.
It was not immediately clear on Monday whether a case will be awarded before a preliminary hearing currently scheduled for May 4.
