- law dawg
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- Family of autistic teen, CCSD tentatively agree to settle dispute for $350,000. [Las Vegas Sun]
- Hearing on controversial Lone Mountain LDS temple moved to May. [RJ]
- Opinion: Sacramento-bound A’s are not inspiring much confidence. [TNI]
- There is a solar eclipse this morning. [KTNV]
The only reason I can think of is that they don’t want to come to LV yet and show that they’re getting less than 10k visitors here, when they’re about to build a 30k seat stadium on the LV Strip.
Yeah let’s open up our wallets to bring another bunch of losers to town. But at least the stadium looks nice.
The pols went to the well one too many times with the sports welfare. Getting worked by Davis was embarrassing enough. Getting the high hard one from john fisher is shameful, but they only needed to know one thing – Nevada is who they thought we were, a bunch of rubes attracted by the lure of jackpots with leadership on the take, standing ready to assist in a scam for some grease.
Shooting at Prince Law Group this morning. Hope no one was killed.
Have a friend in Trauma. Hearing multiple dead including shooter having killed self
https://www.ktnv.com/news/breaking-shooting-at-law-firm-near-charleston-215-prompts-emergency-response
Trying to refresh the news. they are still paying more attention to the eclipse. Please be careful repeating anything that is not verified.
It’s on multiple news sources.
“LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Three people are dead after a shooting at a law office in the Summerlin area on Monday morning, sources tell Channel 13.
A source tells us shots were fired amid a deposition, and that the shooter killed two people before fatally shooting himself.”
LVMPD
@LVMPD
Event: LLV240400029029
Time of Call: 10:04 a.m.
Does anybody know if Prince is alive? Who is the shooter? A crazy client or opposing party? This is so upsetting.
Apparently, the shooter was defense counsel?
I have never nothing that would confirm the shooter was another attorney. Where did you get that information?
Channel 8’s website is quoting sources that the shooter was Las Vegas attorney.
that’s also what i heard, also that his surname is the same as a large american metropolis
Wrong. Dennis Prince. His wife were both shot and killed by her ex father in law. Who then killed himself. They had a 6 month old baby.
Both recitations of the facts can be true…
Our Firm has received news that Prince and client were shot and killed mid-deposition by opposing counsel. Opposing counsel then shot himself. We have been told who opposing counsel was… but have not confirmed and I am not putting a name up here without confirmation.
Our bar’s miscreants went from just stealing money to killing people. Fuckin insane.
Before we jump to conclusions on this particular rumor (which I have hearing is false)….. I am in a rush for information also but believe this rumor is false.
Word is Dennis is one of the victims
I have the heard the same but did not want to share this information until there was some form of official confirmation
Prayers for Dennis and Kevin and the rest of the DPLG staff. This is horrible
My heart goes out to his son. They have a wonderful relationship. Who would do something this terrible?
LVMPD just had a press conference
No information on the identity of the shooter or the relationship with Prince or the firm.
Shooter was a male who killed himself. 2 victims were a male and a female.
News conference right now saying 2 victims, 1 suspect dead
Per Dana Gentry – shooter was a fellow attorney
Per Dana Gentry’s Twitter, Prince is dead and Joe Houston was the shooter.
Joe is Dennis’s wife’s ex father in law.
https://x.com/danagentrylv/status/1777420896929751053?s=46
Joe Houston had told people recently that he had terminal cancer.
Dana is wrong. Dennis’s, his wife killed by HER ex father in law.
All of the above is sadly true
Heart wrenching but I think I put it together: D-21-635772-D
Houston is her ex father in law
I am hearing Joe’s son was formerly married to Dennis’s current wife.
They could be the same person.
Why couldn’t Houston be the ex father-in-law?
My mistake. Yes they could be the same person.
Dana’s tweet identifies the shooter by name.
Any idea who the female victim is?
Dennis’s wife.
This is fucked up. I’m going home to hug my kids and rethink my choice of profession. Only knew Prince very casually; but people will hurt over this. What the absolute fuck?
I know Dennis. I knew Joe.
Did not know Houston at all. I have a case in which the son represents a party. I have known Dennis for about 30 years and worked both with him and against him. This is horrendous. In shock.
Just to be clear….. I believe different son. Joe had Joel and Justin as sons. Justin is an attorney. I do not believe this case involves Justin or an ex-wife of Justin in any manner.
The case referenced above is styled “Dylan Houston v. Ashley Prince, f/k/a Ashley Houston.” It appears Joe Houston had appeared on behalf of the son, Dylan. She was represented by Dennis in association with John Jones. Much is sealed, but there appears to be an ongoing custody dispute.
At least I am presuming it is the son.
According to the record, a month ago, the Court ordered that on days of exchanges where school is not in session, the parties were to meet at a police station. In addition, the Court specifically ordered that Joe Houston not to be present during child exchanges.
I don’t take domestic cases and never will. People are absolutely insane.
Certain attorneys in that particular niche unfortunately push these cases to this level of crazy.
So, grandpa got revenge?
The petty stuff people put into divorce decrees.
This is why cases should not be sealed.
“Openness promotes public understanding, confidence, and acceptance of judicial processes and results, while secrecy encourages misunderstanding, distrust, and disrespect for the courts.” Del Papa v. Steffen (1996).
Dennis was good at getting under peoples’ skin, and he he’s led a complicated personal life; but he didn’t deserve to be gunned down in cold blood. This is sad on hundreds of levels. Whatever the personal affront or insult (if there even was one), this was an unnecessary and gruesome response.
I have known Dennis for about 25 years, a real class act and great attorney!! a major loss for Nevada. RIP Dennis
I will break the silence– reporting its Joe Houston
And a USAFA grad… crazy
Whenever one brings up point during tragedy there are low thinkers who say don’t politicize. But if not now then when??? While obv fucks around with bullshit the clearly troubled cause pain. Cannot something be done about our bar organization and bar?
I cannot begin to understand what you are even talking about. This is a sad situation where a person shot other people because of PERSONAL issues and turmoil. What can/should the Bar be doing to prevent this type of response.
I do not see where or how politics comes into anything
Should family members be allowed to act as counsel in divorce proceedings? Seems like a fair question.
I think it is a horrible idea and this situation is exactly why. Husband representing the wife, while the father is representing the son/ex-husband. This was a train wreck that should have been avoided with common sense.
The armchair analysis today is fucking hilarious.
Yall need lives and let the rest of us grieve the loss of a bad ass litigator to a sad death
What is preventing you from grieving his loss? Go ahead and grieve. No one is forcing you to read comments.
You don’t understand how the internet works!!!!
I think the answer is no. It’s basically the same as representing yourself which we all know is stupid.
I’m not saying the attorneys in this particular case acted inappropriately, however as we all know certain well-connected practitioners who work solely on Bonanza road do so far outside what the rest of us would consider minimum ethical standards. Seeing as they act with impunity and little action from the bar, I’m surprised this outcome isn’t more frequent.
G
Anyone know what was said (assuming something was) that served as the catalyst?
How the hell would anyone know that?
The court reporter who was there would know. Hell, it may have been a video depo for all we know.
I’m gonna go waaay out on a limb here and say that if a court reporter/recorder was present, that they are suffering from shock at the moment and unlikely to be trolling blawgs to provide a statement to ghoulishly inquisitive people.
If there was a court reporter present, I feel so sorry for them. How would you ever get through something like that?
Why don’t you call her and ask what happened? I’m sure the detectives who are interviewing her won’t mind the interruption.
2:01 PM here. Weird comment, 2:05 PM. All I did was offer empathy for any court reporter. I hope anyone who witnessed this will have the support and resources they need to work through it.
I would get over it by immediately hopping on lasvegaslawblog to spill the juicy details. Still time to delete your comment 1:55.
Video…how long until TMZ buys it?
Family law and custody proceedings can be contentious and emotional. Use your imagination.
I doubt anything was said that caused this horrible tragedy. Joe Houston’s son was involved in a long custody dispute with his ex-wife. The litigation was intense and nasty. The parties hated each other. Prince got involved with the ex-wife. I think he was the counsel for the ex-wife, whom he may have married. This poisonous litigation went on and on. Lots of accusations. I am told that Joe suffered from an illness. All the elements were there for tragedy.
Dennis married the ex wife and they had a six month old baby.
If Houston was involved you can presume it was as inflammatory as possible
Thete are frequently valuable lessons to learn from tragic events. If the final exchange provides insight into the state of mind of the assailant and the circumstances that led to this incident, it should be examined. There is much that should be reconsidered as to how family law is currently practiced and handled by the court.
I am perplexed because I have never heard of Dennis ever dipping his toe into the family law sewer.
Co-counsel in a case involving his wife.
Channel 8 confirming Prince and his wife were shot and killed by Joe Houston who then died by a self inflicted gunshot.
Did family law 20+ years and got away from it. It breeds problems by a lowest common denominator economic process. EVERY litigant thinks they are right. Of course law doesn’t care. Parents search until someone will argue that bc dad cheated mom gets kids. And so it’s a race to the bottom bc parents demand it be. I’m in no way commenting on current tragedy but just about how contentious family law is.
It’s not always parents. There is a sizeable chunk of the family law bar that intentionally foments disagreement and contention between clients for the sole purpose of generating fees. The judges cannot be let off the hook either. I had a judge look at opposing counsel and tell him that he did not find the exhibits credible and simply did not believe what his client was saying and in the very next breath that judge gave that attorney an evidentiary hearing date and a discovery schedule. There is caselaw that allows a judge to make findings and stop that kind of crap, but they choose not to. Gotta earn those campaign donations. Frankly, after the years I have spent in family court, I am surprised this does not happen more often.
Op back, I agree and thank you for adding those thoughts.
Agree with the part about causing disagreements and contention to drive up fees; I’ve seen it happen repeatedly.
Family law is bottom of barrel stuff. Courts like to pretend that the welfare of the kids is their highest concern. Yet, they allow attorneys to twist families beyond recognition, then just sign off at the end.
Also, agree that family should not be representing family in these cases – what an absolute recipe for disaster.
And one of the worst is one of the names (or sets of initials) that are verboten from being mentioned on this blog.
you Must be Wrong
I see what u did there
The three biggest lies…
1. The check is in the mail.
2. I love you.
3. The utmost concern of the family courts are the best interests of the child.
To be fair it is not a “sizable chunk” but a handful of demagoguesque sycophants running the s—t show over there in family court who cast a dark cloud over the entire profession. I can’t believe what the judges there allow them to get away with and I would quit the profession before I would deal with those cases.
My prayers go out to Dennis and his son. This is absolutely tragic.
No. It is a sizeable percentage of family law attorneys and the judges are in on it. They’re just as culpable as the attorneys.
The OBC supports their favorites and culls the herd for them.
This is a pretty awful thing to suggest or insinuate at a time like this. Today is not the day for the tin hat conspiracy theories. Not by a long shot.
If the reasonable inferences above are “tin hat conspiracy” to you, get a new career
I mean I heard from people in the NJA way before Dana posted it so even if she used that connection it’s hardly discussion-worthy.
It looks like this is a matter for…The Discovery Commissioner.
I know nothing of this event. But since one is speaking ill of Mr. Houston below I will add this. Although violence is NEVER excusable, he always seemed professional in our cases in opposition and I could never have imagined this event.
I knew Rob Telles and same could be said of him. We think of murderers as the villains on Dateline and 48 Hours, but before they were murderers, they weren’t.
For those who want a little more information on Joe, read Houston v. Eighth Judicial District Court 122 Nev. 544 | 135 P.3d 1269 | 2006 Nev. LEXIS 66. I was cheering for Joe in that case because Judge Pomrenze was not merely crazy but nasty to litigants.
I just read it. I don’t practice in family court or know anything about Judge Pomeranze, but you were cheering Joe in that case? Yikes.
If you practiced in front of Judge Pomrenze then you would know. The NSC put the entire transcript in the record because it showed an extreme lack of judicial temperament. Preparing to cuff an attorney because you believe that they were less than respectful in arguing that the judge had missed the point of his argument(which Pomrenze had) is silly. He argued that she blew up a molehill into a mountain because that is precisely what she did.
So while what Joe did today was abominably evil, indescribable and unforgiveable, it is OK to remember him in the context of another event.
The transcript showed he didn’t follow the rule, basically said he wasn’t going to follow the rule, and was repeatedly being a dick about it. Seems like he was trying to goad her. Seems like the court gave her another chance to issue an order with the requisite level of detail to support the sanction. People repeatedly complain about family court being the Wild West with everyone doing what they want. If this is how an attorney behaves when the judge tells him to follow the rule, no wonder it’s a shit show.
Yeah that is not what happened. Pomrenze first lashed out at Houston because his client had not gotten him the AFC on time. She then lashed out at the defendant because she did not like the expression on his face. She then returned to Houston who admitted that he had not filed the AFC but understood that the court would have to continue the hearing and he asked for a return date.
The kerfuffle was because the judge misunderstood a factual clarification and was deadset on showing her power. Pom said it was her intention to “beat attorneys on the head on this issue” for attorneys to prepare AFCs. Houston simply made the point that clients have to prepare AFCs. Pom continued to press that attorneys are responsible for the AFCs. Houston told her that she was right ” I know. I know. You are. And there’s no doubt about that. But you’re missing the point. The point is is that attorneys don’t prepare them.” It was the comment that the judge had talked right past his point that Pom escalated into a a contempt finding. ” I don’t think it’s exactly respectful for you to be telling me I’m missing a point.” She exerted her authority and he did say that she was the powerful judge, at which time Pom deployed her marshal because she felt disrespected.
Houston dared to opine that the Court was not acting approrpriately. You yourself have just opined that Family Court judges are “the Wild West with everyone doing what they want. . .[and that Family Court] no wonder it’s a shit show.” Pomrenze would have had you in cuffs for expressing that opinion.
I’ll second what 5:51 said. If you knew PomPom, you were most definitely cheering Joe that day. To hopefully avoid getting thwacked, I’ll use 5:51’s words and just say that IMO PomPom ALWAYS showed an extreme lack of judicial temperament.
Hideous assertion and false.
Dana will set you straight eventually herself, but in the meantime I’ll tell you that your wild ass speculation here is incorrect.
Lots of questions and hypothesis… but there is more information coming out. As we all suspected there was a court reporter in the room when all of this occurred. She was not shot. She is currently at Metro, where they are telling her she needs to stay and continue answering questions.
Someone should go help her leave! She has to be in trauma and likely needs to be home with family and not subject to Metro’s useless interrogation.
the court reporting company should be assisting the reporter, the reporter should not be alone with Metro during this tragedy … hopefully the reporter has reached out to someone
I can’t imagine that the court reporter is alone …
News is reporting 7 people were in the room.
I presume John Jones was in the room also.
No john was not present.
As a non attorney… assuming many of you ARE attorneys… who is stepping up and showing up to help the court reporter? Just askin…
Presumably her employer and their attorney.
Question for the criminal law practitioners out there. If the ex-husband knew that of his father in law’s intentions or even knew that his father in law was bringing a gun to the deposition, would there be criminal liability for the ex-husband? I would think aiding and abetting murder could be a charge. The ex-husband must not be allowed to use his father in law’s actions to secure custody of the children. I would think criminal charges would prevent that.
The liability of Joe’s son in this matter is interesting. Was he there? Did he do ANYTHING to aid his father in committing these murders? My guess? I doubt he was there and I doubt he did anything to aid his Dad. Regarding whether Joe’s son can now obtain custody, I have no idea what could happen in Family Court, but I’m sure the matter will be contested.
I heard that Dylan’s mother (grandma and Joe’s wife) was the deponent and that Dylan wasn’t there.
Even if he knew, one would presume that two lawyers would not be stupid enough to leave evidence of the conspiracy
Couple of small clarifications…. Ex-husband knew of his father’s intentions. Second lots of people carry guns. Lots of attorneys carry guns. Lots of attorneys have CCWs. I am not speaking on either side of the politics of attorneys having CCW. Just because Dylan knew that his dad carries would not necessarily indicate knowledge of an intent to use.
I will say I was very tangentially knowledgeable about the last really high profile case in which an attorney was involved in a murder over child custody issues (for those practitioners who have been here now 20+ years). Joe’s son/father of the children lost his father today. His children lost their mother and grandfather today. Would I scrutinize the hell out of what did he know and when did he know it? Sure. And then if it turns out that he was as shocked as any of us, I would work to make sure that the children are protected and well taken care of. The children are my focus if I am LEO.
Joe’s wife was being deposed. So unless he did it before she arrived, she witnessed the whole thing.
I’m very curious if Kelly was in on it or knew what was going to happen. It’ll be interesting to see if Joe left a Will or final arrangements upon his death. I wonder if something said during the depo made Joe go wild or if this was actually premeditated… Sad situation all around.
If he had life insurance, she ain’t collecting it now!
Serious question: I thought suicide exclusions expired after a few years? I’ve fortunately not had reason to encounter this issue before, but did not think the suicide exclusion was perpetual. I welcome further or contrary thoughts from those more familiar with the subject than I am.
Depends on the policy and circumstances of the suicide
My life insurance policy covers suicide so long as it was two years or more after obtaining the insurance.
Mine too. 30-year term. Suicide kicked into covered deaths after 2 years.
Wasn’t this the issue in Nancy Quon’s case is that there was a question as to whether her life insurance would pay out?
Kelley (Joe’s wife) is Judge Teuton’s JEA
Don’t like Joe Houston at all (before today). But, really….. You think he was down with his father dying?
Joe was the father.
Could’ve used pronouns better then. He = the son
Is someone saying that is what occurred?
Why? Show your work.
Remove this. Go be dark somewhere else.
Unless maternal grandparents file for guardianship
My understanding is that this is the temporary result pending further investigation.
Oh yes. Set in motion the events leading to violence then disclaim all responsibility. Does sound like a familiar play.
Summer of love 2020??
You know something we don’t?
This is so sad. DP’s son lost his dad, Dennis. The infant lost both parents, Dennis and Ashley. AP’s kids lost their mother and grandfather… the shooters son, Dylan lost his father. I understand that the shooter who is also an attorney Joe Houston had recently mentioned that he had terminal cancer. My heart goes out to everyone’s family in these tragic and unnecessary deaths. I remember Dennis from when I worked at a mediation and he was always booking cases at ARM… always so professional. I can only imagine because of the emotional aspects to this family law case with each party being so related to the case, something must’ve been said to trigger such a response… some people think that it was premeditated by Joe Houston… maybe he felt that by doing this, his son would have his kids… or perhaps, maybe it was just in the heat of passion that Mr. Houston and combination with his illness or terminal illness caused a lack of judgment and he responded in this way. It’s so tragic when one hears of the loss… Las Vegas lost a really good litigator Dennis Prince. This just seems like something so surreal out of a movie… nobody deserved this ending. May they all rest in peace and I hope the survivors of the family find peace and comfort soon. I hope their hearts heal.
Bringing a gun to a deposition is an exceedingly bad idea. Maybe Joe Houston carried one all the time, I don’t know. But, the fact that he was terminally ill and brought the gun to a place where he knew they both would be and then carried it out smells like it was planned. I won’t speculate about what Dylan knew or didn’t know. I’ll leave that to professional investigators.
Family law is an emotional area of the law. Numerous attorneys carry at depos, in their office, when walking in/out of court (the marshals have lockers you can put it in). Being proactive to protect yourself is understandable.
But, of course, Houston was not protecting anything. He planned a horrific attack and it started 3 minutes into the depo according to the LVRJ.
We assume it was planned. It’s still possible that he carries all the time and just snapped. Not really sure that it makes any difference tho.
I would take more comfort in knowing it was pre-meditated (which would be my assumption, even if he wasn’t sure that he was going to go through with it).
To imagine that a bunch of you have concealed weapons at our depositions is terrifying.
Especially those of you that exude forehead veins and spit venom every single time there is a minor adversarial impasse.
Don’t worry anon, CCW holders are among the lowest violent crime demographics in the country.
You do realize why that’s not at all comforting?
Time for the Annual Pengilly Reminder: carrying guns to depositions can lead to bad things even if you do not shoot someone.
I was wondering when someone would mention the Pengilly incident.
We need an RPC that says no guns at depos.
I don’t have a CCW, and I’ve never carried gun into a depo. But after this incident, I think I will get a CCW and start carrying, into depo and everywhere else.
That should have to be disclosed on the record.
I agree with a disclosure requirement. If counsel or a party cannot leave home without a firearm, the proceeding should take place remotely instead.
Every shooting or “gun crime” that the media calls it is a clamor to disarm the populace and ban guns. Depositions should be remote. Then when not remote take place at the courthouse. Once had a case where everyone was afraid of a party. We moved the arbitration to the courthouse where there were metal detectors and searches. The crazy party did not show. The courthouse is about as secure as it is going to get. Someone can always find a way to get in a firearm through an employee who has a badge or some other means. Even if you are armed, someone can surprise you and shoot first. No fool proof answers ultimately.
Depositions do not need to be remote. It’s an option, but it is not and should not be a requirement.
Only lazy attorneys want all depo remote
Yeah. Lets let your fear govern our 2A rights.
That has always worked in the past.
Yeah. Let’s let your fear of the big scary predator govern gun control in general.
That clearly works to eliminate senseless shootings.
Crazy is as crazy does and evil is as evil does.
You cannot legislate / propound rules to eliminate either.
Its may be a cliche, but if you disarm the law followers, then only the law breakers will have guns.
Prove me wrong.
Rapers gonna rape, no need for laws to eliminate rape.
That’s just a silly hyperbolic analogy that makes little sense. But, I can say that there is no need for MORE laws to criminalize rape. Use the ones we have.
To be fair, all attorneys try to be professional to mediators. The true measure of counsel is how they treat opposing counsel. And DP was as good at getting under opposing counsel’s skin as anyone. Likely in part why he has been so successful.
This is accurate if not a little simplistic.
Dennis could get under OC’s skin in subtle ways while retaining deniability. Which some of us do better than others and some have no skill for.
Inevitably, when under the skin or in the head of opposing counsel, and OC loses it and with their cool, loses their credibility, its a tactic that can make us very successful or if on the other side of the aisle, a sore loser.
Dennis could get under peoples’ skin but rarely engendered feelings that would make a rational person even think about killing him.
This. He was what you might call a “tool” sometimes but he wasn’t a bad person. He wasn’t going to screw you over just to do it, but if he needed to in order to win, he would.
So I am informed by spam mail that the day after this horrific killing, April 9, is Be Kind to Lawyers Day, also known as International Be Kind to Lawyers Day, encourages people to be kind to all those who practice law.
Until you have any evidence Dylan was involved in this murder, keep your stupid judgments to yourself.
I’m assuming 9:16 isn’t an attorney. Nobody who jumps to this conclusion could possibly pass the bar.
Actually 9:15 seems perfectly suited for practicing in family court. That’s precisely the standard of proof required there.
Ashley filed for sole custody the morning of the shooting. Her ex husband certainly had the most to gain from her death. Indeed, the shooting did not benefit the father in law at all.
@ 9:42, you are a glimmering jewel of colossal ignorance.
Joe had nothing to gain? He had stage 4 cancer and arguably did this to ensure his son maintained custody.
I was in court with Joe last week and he said that his health was better and the medical reports were good… but maybe that was smoke.
Yeah who knows. Fuck that guy, nonetheless.
Anyone know why in light of the ONJ case that D-21-635772-D is still not subject to being reviewed?
Hardly speculation, this very thread and the cited D case are full of “facts” concerning the source of toxicity, child exchanges at a police parking lot, and other allegations. Zero evidence to suggest he tried at every (or any) opportunity to turn down the heat.
Fair enough. That might make him an asshole, but not an accessory to murder. I reserve the right to change my opinion as additiona facts come to light, which they always do.
It doesn’t even make him an asshole. A lot of otherwise normal people act erratically and angrily when you tear apart their families and threaten their relationships with their children. I recall my parents behaving the same–perfectly sane and normal people except when the topic of the other came up.
I’m so ashamed of those willing to vent their emotions via accusing someone – the son – with zero evidence. We’re lawyers people. Stop it.
According to Channel 8
“Five days before the shooting, Dylan Houston, who is also an attorney, emailed Dennis Prince, ‘You have no idea what’s coming do you, all your cards are on the table and I haven’t played one [laughing emoji],’ according to documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained. The email was sent at 1:28 a.m. on April 4.”
I was inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt until reading this latest reporting. This is not an individual who is fit to have custody of his children.
No. It takes alot more than a vaguely worded attempt to intimidate than this. While sending such an email might make you an asshole, it does not warrant (without much more) a denial of custody.
Because he has a DUI? Because he sent a contentious e-mail to an ex-wife or his ex-wife’s attorney? Then 80% of this blog is unfit to have custody of their children.
804am here.
Agreed
That really doesn’t mean anything. I’ve seen email responses from attorneys like this all the time.
The only attorneys who would send an email of this stripe are assholes at best. Clearly this is much worse.
Been wondering who the other people in the room were since Metro stated that there were 7 people in the room. According to the RJ: (1) Dennis Prince; (2) Ashley Prince; (3) Joe Houston; (4) Shannon Wilson; (5) Katherine Houston; (6) Lisa Rasmussen and (7) unnamed court reporter.
“A court document filed hours after Monday’s shooting at a Summerlin law office describes the moments leading up to the attack, when the gunman killed two people in front of his wife before killing himself. Five minutes after a deposition began inside a conference room Monday morning, Las Vegas attorney Joseph Houston II, 77, ‘stood up, had a very glazed and rattled look in his eyes, pulled out a handgun and shot (Dennis) Prince four times,’ according to the document. Longtime Las Vegas attorney Lisa Rasmussen confirmed Tuesday that she also was present during the shooting and was representing Houston’s wife, Katherine, who was set to be questioned during the deposition. Rasmussen said Joseph Houston was representing the couple’s son, Dylan, in a contentious custody battle with Dylan Houston’s former wife, now known as Ashley Prince.”
The not-so-subtle victim blaming on this blog the past couple of days is disappointing to say the least. Although I agree that it’s not wise to represent family members in adversarial proceedings, most attorneys who are level-headed, rational adults can do it without the same tragic result. It’s hardly fool proof mitigation to avoid that type of representation. The common denominator in these senseless acts is usually always a truly unstable individual, who can’t appreciate the wrongness and/or consequences of their irreversible actions. This type of conduct can still happen in seemingly more innocuous circumstances too (e.g., firing an employee, rejecting a job applicant, unreciprocated affection). Even in this age of supposed enlightenment, human beings are capable of unfathomable evil–regardless of what profession you’re in or what area of law you practice.
It’s not just victim blaming. The shooter was also representing family. A lot of bad decisions all around.
No. Stop this. Just no. There is no express prohibition on representing your wife. There was co-counsel associated into the case. The “lots of bad decisions” argument in the context of the rape of a provocatively clad woman is victim blaming. The “lots of bad decisions” argument in the context of the robbery or a murder of someone who stops for gas in a rougher part of town is victim blaming. Associating an attorney being co-counsel for a family member as being in the same sentence as someone murdering people in cold blood is victim blaming.
It’s not victim blaming. All of the following is true: 1. Dennis and Ashley Prince are totally, absolutely innocent victims. They are not at fault in any way for this. 2. It’s a bad idea for family members to represent each other in a heated child custody case, although there may currently be no prohibition against it.
Thank you for your opinion.
The only truly bad decision was by an arguably mentally unstable/terminally ill attorney and that decision was to commit double murder.
This nonsense about what various and sundry steps that could have been taken to prevent this tragedy is all superfluous hand wringing.
More rules or laws could NOT have prevented a damn thing.
Dennis was an amazing and hardworking attorney who literally created law with his published cases throughout his career. Dennis, handsome and in shape and looking young for his age, met and married beautiful Ashley. They had a child together. Dennis had accomplishments in his career that multiplied those of most attorneys of his experience. Even so, he had just started DPLG a few years back and was actively building his firm. He and Ashley had much left to do, and to share with others, in this life.
Dennis and Ashley unfortunately ran into a brain sick murderer who was defending his convict attorney son, Ashley’s previous husband, who had documented alcohol issues. According to media reports, Ashley asked for security at the deposition but later withdrew the request. The brain sick murderer had nothing to lose. He was defending his son, a partner in a law firm, who previously emailed Dennis “You have no idea what’s coming do you, all your cards are on the table and I haven’t played one [laughing emoji]”
Dennis and Ashley did not know that they would lose their lives the day of the deposition. Hopefully Metro does a thorough investigation and gets to all the details.
In the legal profession, there are definitely unhinged attorneys, parties and witnesses. While a shooting like this is unusual, it is not unheard of. Las Vegas attorney Bill Coulthard lost his life when his car was bombed all the way back in 1972. Attorneys are threatened often. Harm is wished upon attorneys even without threats. Let’s face it, attorneys often have to impose on other people’s lives to some degree every day. The case Dennis and Ashley were involved in was a civil case. A civil case. Hopefully the case is studied to see what was done that could be avoided in the future.
What is clear, however, is that people with nothing to lose should be addressed with caution. Watch out for the insane, unhinged, imbalanced people in your cases and lives. Whether it’s a road raged driver, or a bottom feeding brain sick attorney, everybody is at risk.
Be careful and cautious out there everyone.
It is completely normal for a nearly 60 year-old man to hook up with a 30 year-old client and then inject himself into the custody battle with her ex. He fanned the flames pretty well, too well perhaps.
Go fuck yourself. He was representing his wife and their age is totally irrelevant.
Thanks for blaming the victim, because he beat your ass in court.
You make me want to puke, Jagoff.
All of it is relevant. Never beat my ass anywhere, but you wish he had gotten in yours.
Dennis was a friend and top notch litigator. Who I have known through a loose family connection for over 30 years. He was far from perfect but he was a generous dude and again one of the top trial attorneys in the state. So again, GFYS.
No lies detected
Dennis loved the ladies and the ladies loved him. Everyone on this blog agrees that Dennis was an overachiever. Sounds like limpy 10:37 am is a little jealous.
The “Did Dylan know or did he not know” debate reminds me of a case that occurred in Tucson when I practiced down there. Ex-boyfriend confides in ex-girlfriend who is attorney that he is mad at his business partner and “could just kill him.” Business partner ends up dead. Ex-Boyfriend ends up convicted and on 48 Hours. Ex-girlfriend ends up disbarred. https://tucson.com/news/local/the-woman-at-the-eye-of-the-storm/article_61acd421-c620-589f-985f-2ee7879ea3d7.html
At this point enough is out there about Dylan’s actions that his firm should certainly immediately fire him. Regardless of whether he is guilty of murder, he has engaged in multiple violations of the rules of professional conduct. I hope the insurers pull every case from that firm if they don’t drop him.
Probably want to handle that in the most formal process possible.
The picture being painted of Dylan is not pretty. If I were his employer I would almost certainly part ways. But I am interested in how you have predetermined based on media reports that “he has engaged in multiple violations of the rules of professional conduct.” Which NRPCs do you assert he has violated? The DUI that became a reckless driving? Nevada Supreme Court has pretty thoroughly rebuffed efforts by the SBN on that one. Sending less than courteous correspondence by text in a family law case? Unless he had reason to believe he had knowledge “likely to result in reasonably certain death or substantial bodily harm” but remember that duty to reveal is only “in the representation of a client” and not when one is a client who has reason to believe that his lawyer might commit an act of violence.
must be a Boyd ’13 grad
Or, . . . . . . . w could wait for some actual proof.
Hint: This blog is not a source of proof.