Man gets new trial over slide

LAS VEGAS — A Las Vegas man accused in a 2011 crime spree was granted a new trial this week, after the Nevada Supreme Court ruled the jury might have been tainted by a PowerPoint slide featuring his battered face superimposed with the word “GUILTY.”

The high court’s ruling Wednesday reverses Frankie Alan Watters’ convictions on charges of possessing a stolen car, grand larceny auto and failing to stop for an officer. Records show he’s serving time in the Ely State Prison.

Watters, 27, was accused of stealing a car, wrecking it, stealing a second car, leading police on a high-speed chase, and running into a store, where he was arrested after being bitten several times by a police dog.

Defense attorneys cried foul when they previewed the slideshow set to accompany the prosecutor’s opening statements, but a judge ruled the PowerPoint presentation was allowed, according to the ruling.

It featured a booking photo of Watters and animation that stamped the word “GUILTY” across his face in capital letters while the prosecutor verbally asked the jury to find Watters guilty.

Watters’ attorneys said he was “very upset” when he saw the slideshow.

The Clark County District Attorney’s Office argued that the slide’s appearance was harmless and wasn’t admitted as evidence, adding that evidence of Watters’ guilt was overwhelming.