Friday’s sentencing of Father George Chaanine in the attack on Michaelina Bellamy at Our Lady of Las Vegas Catholic church would seem to mercifully close out this sordid drama. But, in a twist that will please exactly no one in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Vegas, the story might still have a pulse.
Following Thursday’s sentencing by District Judge Michelle Leavitt, in which Chaanine was ordered to serve at least four and no more than 12 years for his assault on Bellamy at the Our Lady church offices Jan. 26, Bellamy’s attorney Robert Massi told the Review-Journal he and Bellamy have not decided whether to file a lawsuit in connection with the attack. “It’s never been about money for her, regardless of what people may say,” he said.
Fascinating. That’s not what Massi said over the summer, for a story I wrote about the attack that ran in the August issue of Las Vegas Life. At that time, Massi said he was digging into Chaanine’s background and as preparing a civil complaint that was to be issued by August. But nothing has been filed, and Massi has not returned phone messages since Thursday’s sentencing to clarify if and when the suit will be filed.
It could be that Bellamy, her friends and family, initially sought financial compensation from the attack (in which Bellamy was struck several times in the back of the head with a full wine bottle) and have changed their minds after a grueling 10 months. Or, maybe there is a settlement being negotiated that would keep this episode out of the public eye. But while following this case, I keep remembering something that Pastor John Page, an assistant chaplain at the Clark County Detention Center (where Chaanine has been incarcerated since February, after being apprehended from his six-day flight following the attack) related to me over the summer. Page had been advising Chaanine, very simply, to take responsibility for his actions. In a legal sense, Chaanine has done that, but he did not have much of a choice. The physical evidence and the photos of the blood-spattered crime scene and of Bellamy’s battered body showed a classic crime of passion.
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Optimism abounds on Fremont East: Downtown Cocktail lounge owner Michael Cornthwaite is planning a members-only policy. His idea is still in its larval stages, but Cornthwaite says that in two years his club will cater to card-carrying members (one reason is, the walk-in business on the corner of Fremont Street and LV Boulevard can be a hair sketchy).
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Wayne Newton has really not been feeling well, having been slowed by pneumonia-esque symptoms. He had to beg out of a scheduled interview and photo shoot at Casa de Shenandoah last week, a few days after canceling a series of tour dates through Canada, but is expected to be in full Danke Shoen mode when his holiday shows open at Harrah’s on Nov. 15. That series of appearances ends Dec. 30, and at the moment Mr. Las Vegas does not have a contract with any Vegas properties for 2008, which seems inherently not right.
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During a recent taping of Our Metropolis, the KUNV 91.5-FM radio show I’ve been hosting for about a month, my guest was Brian Kominsky, Clark County Director of the Ron Paul for President Campaign. We were discussing what qualifies a person to be president, and I noted that, from a pure organizational perspective, Hillary Clinton’s Nevada campaign was a disciplined, well-oiled machine. “If you’re looking at someone who can operate a national campaign, you have to be impressed with that,” I said.
“I’d hire her to be secretary, sure,” Kominsky said. “Secretary of State?” I asked. “No,” he said. “Secretary.” That show airs at 6 p.m., Nov. 13. This week we have former Nevada Gov. and Senator Richard Bryan.
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Lord of the ring: Congrats to Jason Latham and Alyssa Anderson, who are doing that matrimony thing the kids are so nutty about. He is the producer of Wake Up With the Wagners and she is a PR ace with the Firm in Las Vegas. No date has been set (well, many dates have been set, but none specific to when they are to be married), but we do wish them nothing … but happiness. They are wonderful people and good friends and, of course, I am crying now …
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PL8 in my head: With a nod to the Boise State University football team, T8ERS on a silver Nissan Versa.