The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, February 08, 1999, Page 7, Image 7
Lincoln twins still await fate in Colorado jail for murder By Josh Funk Senior staff writer Four young men facing murder charges in Denver are still in jail await ing trial for the October stabbing of another man. Twin brothers David and Kevin Bills, both former UNL students, and their two companions, Joshua Wright and Kevin Snyder, face first-degree murder charges for their role jn the death of Patrick Perry. The four men have been in jail since the Oct. 3 incident that centered on a domestic dispute between Perry and Monica Greenwood, Perry’s girl friend. On March 23, a Denver judge will consider evidentiary motions in all four cases before continuing with other pretrial motions, Deputy District Attorney Mike Little said. But police and defense attorneys differ in their accounts of the events leading up to the stabbing. Phil Cherney and Jim Castle, defense attorneys for the Bills brothers, called the actions of the four men - who broke up a domestic dispute between Perry and Greenwood - hero ic. Police said the four men hunted i— down and attacked Perry after their ini tial meeting. The Rev. Patrick Demmer, senior pastor at Graham Memorial Church of God in Christ where Perry was a dea con, called the good Samaritan defense absolutely false. David Bills, 22, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was a senior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the fall semester and went to Denver in October to visit his brother Kevin, also 22, who was a senior at Metropolitan State College. Snyder, 19, of Omaha, went with David Bills to Denver where they met Kevin Bills and Wright, 18, of Arvada, Colo. That Friday night, the four men, along with some other friends, went to the Ogden Theatre, a Denver concert hall, before returning to Kevin Bills’ apartment near where the attack hap pened, according to the police affidavit The four men saw Perry, 34, attack ing Greenwood and stopped the attack. When police arrived, Perry and Greenwood had left, but the four men - who police said were dressed like skin heads - told police they would look for the suspect Perry is black and all four of the suspects are white, but police said the attack was not racially motivated. At this point, defense attorneys said the four men went back to Kevin Bills’ apartment where they stayed until Perry showed up on their doorstep threatening them and brandishing a weapon. Cherney, who is David Bills’ lawyer, said that a fight ensued, and that is when Perry was stabbed. Demmer, Perry's minister, said that scenario was ridiculous. “Perry was not a fool,” Demmer said. “He would not have been foolish enough to try to take on four men.” Police reports tell a different story from that offered by the defense attor neys. Police were called back to the same area 1 A hours after the domestic dis pute and found Perry lying in the street with several stab wounds. A witness described the four men attacking Perry. In interviews at the police station later, David Bills admitted to stabbing Perry twice in the back after a fight started between Perry and Kevin Bills. After the attack, Kevin Bills called a friend and said, “We beat the hell out of that guy; I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to go to jail.” Inside Kevin Bills’ apartment, police found the butterfly knife used in the attack, a blood-stained T-shirt and blood stains on the carpet ^MDS Harris Together, We're Making Lives Better 621 Rose Street, Lincoln www.mdsharris.com/rcrt/recruit.htm Event honors women in athletics, fitness Awards presented for outstanding feats By Josh Nichols Staff writer Fear. Everyone has it, and many try to avoid it. But athletes are forced to face their fears every time they compete. Two-time Nebraska volleyball All-American Christy Johnson stressed this point to an audience of female athletes at a luncheon to rec ognize women in sports and fitness. She was the featured speaker at the “All Girls Allowed” event held Saturday at the Holiday Inn Downtown, 141 N. Ninth St. Athletes from the University of Nebraska-Lhicoln, Nebraska Wesleyan University and Lincoln Public Schools attended the banquet. Johnson, who was starting setter on Nebraska’s 1995 national cham pionship team, received snickers from the audience when she gave examples of beliefs held by mothers and grandmothers at one time about women in athletics, including the claim that playing sports would ruin me woman s body. She responded to these claims by saying, “We know die female athlete is not fragile and will not buckle under pressure.” Johnson said that being an ath lete taught her to overcome her fears and be able to face adversity. “I felt like every time I touched the ball, I had a chance to face my fears,” she said. “I knew we wouldn’t win if I didn’t face what I was most afraid of.” Johnson said her experiences playing volleyball taught her lessons that she would carry with her for the rest of her life. "" “Volleyball gave me memories that I can call up anytime I need them,” Johnson said, After Johnson’s speech, awards were presented to women who have incorporated health and fitness into their lifestyles. x Cathy Noth, assistant coach for the NU volleyball team last season, was presented with the Mentor of the Year award for her work with women in sports and fitness fields. ___ fcfc /like every time I touched the ball, I had a chance to face my fears. Christy Johnson two-time volleyball All-American Noth, who was the setters coach, recently resigned from her position on the coaching staff. Lincoln health and fitness enthu siast Gina Simanek was the recipient of the Spirit award. Simanek suffered potentially dis abling head injuries when she was assaulted in 1992. Because of what her doctors called superior conditioning, Simanek was able to rehabilitate and recover mentally and physically. Since the incident, she has earned her master’s degree in psy chology and has competed in four half-marathons across the country. Lela Pierce, who began swim ming competitively 13 years ago at the age of 64, was presented with the Courage award for overcoming can cer and a stroke two years ago, and returning to swimming. “I strongly recommend swim ming for anyone my age,” Pierce said. “It is something we can still do.” Scott Young, the host of the event, is the programming director for KFOR radio. Kim Robak, former lieutenant governor and now NU vice president for external affairs, was the event’s honorary chair woman. Robak, who has never competed in athletics, told the audience mem bers they were true role models. “Even when you’re afraid, you do the best you can,” she said. “(Young women) idolize you and want to be like you. I thank you for that” : I BORSHEIM'S. Fine Jeveky and Gifts ABakdnttlhdmayCanfmy . I KcgencyCowt, 120Regenyfokway, Omaha, NE68114 (402)391-0400 (B00)642-<2Fr ■ - www.botshdrns.coin mailQborahrimsxam I Hours: Man&Thurs. 10-3; Tues., Wed10-6; Sat 10-5:30