LV resiliency center contacted by locals reeling from Oct. 1
In the aftermath of mass shootings in Texas and Ohio that left 31 people dead in one weekend, the Vegas Strong Resiliency Center is receiving more requests for support from survivors and others affected by the Oct. 1, 2017, shooting on the Strip.
In response, the center has partnered with mental health providers to offer additional support this week, including its first online counseling sessions. Those sessions will be conducted via video chat, giving counselors the ability to reach survivors in California and other states.
Anyone affected by the Route 91 shooting is welcome to attend the counseling sessions.
While tragedies like the shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, typically result in an increase in phone calls, emails and social media messages, more first-timers also seek help in the aftermath of mass violence, according to resilien
and asphyxiated.
In January 2009, Las Vegas homicide detectives investigating the case researched Wallen’s background. Wallen, who had helped in the initial search, lived in the same apartment buildingasdianaandherfamily when she was killed.
The investigators also found records of Wallen’s 1992 arrest in Pahrump for sexual assault. Metro had registered him as a sex offender in 1999.
Wallen’s DNA matched that found on Diana’s body, and his fingerprint lined up with one pulled from the cardboard box.
For more than 10 years after Wallen’s arrest, Diana’s sisters and mother waited for a resolution as the case worked through the court system.hisdefenseattorneysfought to spare him from the death penalty.
Deputy public defender Julia Murray said Monday that Wallen had “always wanted to resolve” his case.
Murray and fellow public defender Scott Coffee pointed to court papers that stated Wallen had suffered a traumatic head injury at age 3 or 4, and he had “exhibited social and adaptive behavior problems” since age 6. He was diagnosed with autism in 1985.
After prosecutors agreed to withdraw capital punishment, Wallen agreed to accept two sentences of life in prison without the possibility of parole. He pleaded guilty to the original charges he faced: sexual assault with a minor under 14 with substantial bodily harm and murder.
Diana’s family wept as he entered his plea.
In less than 10 minutes, after District Judge Michelle Leavitt read a short, legal description of the allegations, Monday’s hearing was complete.
Samano, Hernandez and Morales walked out of the courtroom, crying and holding one another. They must wait two more months before Wallen is formally sentenced in October. Diana would have been 32.
“Everything’s still going to be the same,” her mother said after the hearing, still choking back tears. “But I hope he dies soon.”
Contact David Ferrara at dferrara@reviewjournal. com or 702-380-1039. Follow @randompoker on Twitter.