LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The person accused of capturing and killing a married couple on a busy sidewalk in entrance of the Bellagio fountains may face the loss of life penalty.
Clark County District Lawyer Steve Wolfson mentioned prosecutors will think about looking for the loss of life penalty for Manuel Ruiz, 41, who’s going through two counts of homicide for the deaths of 44-year-old Rodney Finley and 43-year-old Tanisha Finley on Sunday, June 8.
“This is a case involving the death of two innocent people, and whenever we have a situation where two people are killed, needlessly, senselessly, it’s always an option,” Wolfson mentioned.
Manuel Ruiz seems in Las Vegas Justice Court docket on Thursday, June 12, for his arraignment. (KLAS)
Ruiz, who appeared in Las Vegas Justice Court docket Thursday morning for his arraignment, advised police after he was arrested that he shot each folks in self-defense as a result of he thought they had been going to shoot him, in line with his arrest report.
“I think it’s probably garbage,” Wolfson mentioned of Ruiz’s self-defense declare. He added no weapons had been discovered on or close to the victims and “the motivation is pretty clear.”
Livestream viewers flood 911 to report Las Vegas Strip capturing: ‘We watch these two guys live all the time’
The capturing, which was livestreamed on social media, stemmed from an ongoing social media feud between Ruiz and Rodney Finley that had been brewing since 2023, a fellow YouTube content material creator advised police.
Wolfson additionally made some extent of addressing issues about security on the Las Vegas Strip.
“I will tell you that I believe the Las Vegas community, and in particular the Las Vegas Strip, is one of the most safest communities in the country,” he mentioned. “These are isolated incidents, and when you look at how many people actually visit the Las Vegas Strip between the tourists, the residents and the employees, the Strip is a very, very safe place.”
Ruiz is scheduled to seem in courtroom on July 3.
