Firebox Road murder suspect will face murder, robbery charges

Murder defendant Anthony Echols sat with his head down in a Carson City courtroom Friday as prosecutors revealed evidence - including a crime scene videotape - that suggests he shot resident Rick Albrecht in the head.

Justice of the Peace Robey Willis ordered Echols to district court to face murder and burglary charges after several witnesses testified that Echols admitted to the Aug. 5 killing.

Prosecutors contended Friday that Echols' motive for the killing was revenge for a relationship between his estranged wife Karen Echols and the slain home builder. The day of the killing, Echols was arrested for suspicion of violating a restraining order requested by Karen Echols.

Within two hours of his release on bail, police received the first reports about 5 p.m. of Albrecht's death at his home, 1542 Firebox Road.

Officers were dispatched a few minutes later to Echols' home in the 2100 block of Joanne Drive and his wife's home nearby. The shooting was reported by an acquaintance of Echols. Within minutes, deputies broke down Albrecht's door, finding his body in a seated position on a couch, according to testimony.

"The information I received from dispatch was that (Echols) was upset about being arrested, and he was contemplating a serious act," Sgt. James Better testified. After contacting Echols, Better added, he "just said to me that (the victim) was Albrecht."

An audiotape recording of a conversation between two officers and Echols shortly after Echols was placed in a patrol car had an emotional impact on the approximately 25 Albrecht family members and friends at the hearing. Some wept and some held their heads while listening to Echols admitting to the shooting.

Although the tape is muffled at times, Echols can be heard saying "The gun went off twice" and "I just wanted to be with my son, I just wanted to share his life."

On the tape he also refers to himself as a "murderer" and laments that his son is "never going to see me again."

Evidence collected at Albrecht's home included two Winchester-brand .22-caliber bullet shells. They are consistent with gunshot wounds above the left eye and the top of the head, testified Dr. Ellen Clark, a forensic pathologist.

A .22-caliber Ruger rifle was found on top of a bed at Echols' home that Saturday, investigator Dean Higman testified. Also found were unfired Winchester cartridges of the same caliber.

Everett Lattyak, a firearms expert retained by prosecutors, identified one of the bullets as having been fired by the Ruger recovered at Echols's home. Marks on the other bullet could not be definitively matched with the rifle.

He also said if the gun were shot more than 3 feet from Albrecht, it is likely that no gunpowder residue would be found on the victim. According to autopsy results, no burn marks were found on Albrecht's face.

During a midday recess, Steve Leonard, Albrecht's brother, said the family showed up in force to see that justice is done.

"The whole family wants to keep pressure on this case," he said. "We want life without parole."

Echols' next court appearance will be in district court in the next two to three weeks, when he will be asked to enter a plea. An innocent plea would probably result in a 2001 trial date.

Albrecht is charged with first-degree murder and burglary. Because the felony murder rule requires premeditation or that the murder be committed during the commission of another crime, Chief Deputy District Attorney Anne Langer is using the burglary charge as a means of bringing the first-degree conviction.

In an objection, Attorney Tod Young, retained by Echols in late September, pointed out that the same method was used - and rejected by Judge Michael Fondi - in the Resendiz murder case.

Deputy District Attorney Jason Woodbury is co-counsel for the prosecution.