New trial denied to man convicted of killing girl in Primm casino bathroom

LAS VEGAS - The U.S. District Court in Las Vegas denied a new trial to a child killer who claimed he was forced to plead guilty.

Jeremy Strohmeyer alleged his guilty pleas to murder, kidnapping and sexual assault against a child were involuntary and asked for a new trial.

Strohmeyer charged that his two attorneys Leslie Abramson and Richard Wright badgered him into pleading guilty to the murder of 7-year-old Sherrice Iverson in a Primm casino bathroom in 1997.

Strohmeyer's same claim was previously denied by both the Clark County District Court and the Nevada Supreme Court.

The Nevada Attorney General's Office had argued in court papers that the evidence presented in the state court evidentiary hearing before Judge Joseph Bonaventure showed conclusively that Strohmeyer's pleas were knowing, voluntary and intelligent.

Strohmeyer was convicted of murder in the first degree, kidnapping in the first degree and two counts of sexual assault of a minor under 16 years of age.

Strohmeyer pleaded guilty to the charges in exchange for the Clark County District Attorney's agreement to drop the notice of intent to seek the death penalty. He was sentenced to life in prison.

"Jeremy Strohmeyer committed a heinous crime against a 7-year-old child," said Nevada Attorney General George J. Chanos. "The U.S. District Court agrees that Mr. Strohmeyer received effective assistance of counsel and should not be granted a new trial."