Race may become an issue in the trial of a non-Indian man accused of killing a member of the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California.

Michael J. Ward, 21, is charged with charged with involuntary manslaughter, battery and battery with a deadly weapon. He is accused of stabbing Jeffrey Clayton John, 24, and letting him die on a street in Gardnerville Ranchos, Nevada, on June 24.

Ward's attorney tried to get the charges dismissed yesterday, saying race may have been an issue in the case. The local prosecutor denied that John's race played a role.

Another man, Enrique Garcia, who is Hispanic, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six months in jail for covering up evidence. A third man who was charged was African-American but those charges were dropped.

The incident arose when Jeffrey John's cousin, Naomi John, was evicted from her apartment by her landlord, who was also her boyfriend. Naomi took John and another relative to the complex to confront the landlord and encountered Walsh and the other men. A brawl ensued and John, who weighed 260 pounds, was somehow overpowered.

Get the Story:
Trial begins for man accused in the death of another during brawl (Court TV Ranchos slaying trial begins (The Douglas County Record-Courier 11/30)
Trial begins for manslaughter suspect (The Reno Gazette-Journal 11/30)