Supporters of slain Vegas teen pack courtroom in Henderson

Hearing postponed for suspects in case

Family and friends of a 17-year-old boy who was shot and killed last month packed a Henderson courtroom Monday.

At least 10 of them wore black T-shirts with a sepia-toned picture of Matthew Minkler’s face on the front above the words “Be Safe” in white. On the back, also in white lettering: “Justice for Matthew.”

Officers escorted Jaiden Caruso, 16, and Kody Harlan, 17, who were in chains and wearing jail jumpsuits. The defendants stood silently while Henderson Justice of the Peace Sam Bateman postponed a preliminary hearing until next week.

Minkler’s supporters — crying, shaking and embracing one another during the brief hearing — later declined to speak with reporters.

Caruso and Harlan are charged as adults in connection with the June 8 slaying inside an abandoned house in the 2000 block of Cool Lilac Avenue, where Minkler, of Las Vegas, was found dead of a gunshot wound to the head.

COURT

Harlan told police after his arrest that Caruso pulled out a Ruger .357-caliber revolver and shot Minkler in the face during a “modified” version of Russian roulette. Caruso “never allowed the other participants to handle the firearm or pull the trigger themselves,” Harlan told officers, according to arrest documents.

Attorneys for Caruso and Harlan have declined to comment on the allegations.

Caruso faces charges of murder with a deadly weapon and robbery, and Harlan faces charges of robbery and aiding a felony offender after the fact, court records show.

Henderson police detectives have arrested a third teen who they believe was present when Minkler was shot. That suspect, a juvenile who has not been identified, faces charges of destroying evidence and accessory to murder.

Contact David Ferrara at dferrara@reviewjournal. com or 702-380-1039. Follow @randompoker on Twitter.

Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-journal @vegasphotograph Las Vegas residents Jamie and Steve Minkler, parents of 17-year-old Matthew Minkler, who was found dead from a gunshot wound last month, get emotional as two of the suspects in his slaying are brought in Monday at the Henderson Justice Court.

Jaiden Caruso, 16, left, and Kody Harlan, 17, suspects in the slaying of Matthew Minkler, appear before Justice of the Peace Sam Bateman during a court appearance Monday.

Richard Brian Steve Minkler, right, father of Matthew Minkler, who was found dead from a gunshot wound last month, hugs family friends Michael and Christine Gordon following a court appearance for two of the suspects Monday.Las Vegas Review-journal @vegasphotograph