Judge sets bail at $350K in ‘chance encounter’ slaying outside tavern

Bond was acceptable astatine $350,000 Wednesday for a fishy accused of fatally shooting a antheral extracurricular a westbound vale tavern this period pursuing what a Las Vegas constabulary homicide detective described a “chance encounter.”

The Nov. 14 killing, which was captured connected surveillance video shown successful court, occurred aft a aboriginal greeting quarrel successful beforehand of the barroom located connected the 4300 artifact of South Grand Canyon Drive.

Las Vegas constabulary allege Launce Cliff, 21, changeable Jacob Hughey 4 times — erstwhile successful the look and 3 times successful the backmost — aft Hughey punched him.

Cliff, who drove distant earlier archetypal responders arrived, was arrested Thursday, 4 days aft the shooting, constabulary said.

During a lengthy bail proceeding Friday, Cliff’s attorney, Ryan Helmick, argued self-defense and asked for bail to beryllium acceptable astatine $50,000.

A Clark County prosecutor, who primitively asked for nary bond, aboriginal suggested $250,000.

But Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Joseph S. Sciscento decided connected a higher amount, noting the “highly concerning” allegations successful the apprehension report, Cliff’s erstwhile past of fleeing a Metropolitan Police Department postulation halt successful 2020, and his “tough guy” persona connected societal media.

The time of the shooting, some men had conscionable met astatine the entranceway of the bar, constabulary said.

Hughey was not allowed inside, portion Cliff had walked up to notify unit astir a car alarm going disconnected successful the parking lot, constabulary said.

Helmick said Hughey had “taunted” Cliff, who was connected a video telephone with astir fractional a twelve people, earlier striking him, adding that his lawsuit opened occurrence due to the fact that helium was frightened Hughey was going to punch him again.

Hughey besides recorded the statement and shooting connected his compartment phone, which was inactive filming erstwhile officers arrived, constabulary said.

A Metro homicide detective, who interviewed Cliff aft his arrest, described the antithetic video clips shown successful court.

Sciscento chastised the defendant, noting that helium could person easy avoided the concern helium is in.

“Had you conscionable gotten into your car and went away, nary of this would’ve happened,” helium said.

Hughey’s parent and gramps provided grounds against bail.

They declined further remark extracurricular the courtroom, arsenic did Cliff’s parent and a fewer friends who attended the hearing.

If Cliff posts bail, helium volition beryllium held nether high-level monitoring during location arrest, the justice decided.

Cliff is adjacent owed successful tribunal Dec. 20.

This is simply a processing story. Check backmost for updates.

Contact Ricardo Torres-Cortez astatine rtorres@reviewjournal.com. Follow him connected Twitter @rickytwrites.