Man sentenced to life in prison for fatal shooting near Las Vegas Strip

Omar Talley, 38, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the fatal shooting of two Northern California women near the Las Vegas Strip nearly eight years ago. The sentencing took place after a judge rebuked Talley for his lack of remorse. 

Lack of remorse and denials

During the sentencing, Talley’s defense attorney stated that his client had apologized to the victims’ families. However, Talley interrupted to clarify that he had only expressed his “condolences” and continued to assert that he was not involved in the killings. This interruption came despite being convicted in October of two counts of murder with a deadly weapon and one count of attempted murder.

Initial death penalty consideration

Originally facing the death penalty in the case, Talley saw a change in the prosecution's stance as they withdrew the possibility of capital punishment before his trial began, according to court records.

Details of the Incident

The incident, which occurred in February 2016, involved the shooting of Melissa Yvette Mendoza and Jennifer Margarita Chicas, both 27, and the wounding of Chicas’ brother-in-law, Jerraud Jackson. The victims, who were in Las Vegas to celebrate a family event, were attacked in a parking garage west of the Strip following an argument with Talley, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police.

Survivor's testimony and victims' background

Despite Jackson surviving the shooting and testifying against Talley, the victims succumbed to their injuries. Both women, hailing from the San Francisco Bay area, died of gunshot wounds to the chest, the police reported.

Talley's Account

Talley told the authorities that he had been under the influence of alcohol and marijuana on the night of the shootings, recalling little of the events, as mentioned in an arrest report.

Criminal Background

Notably, Talley had been paroled in 2015 after serving time in a Nevada prison for felony pandering of a child and child abuse convictions in 2010, based on court documents.