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Oct. 25, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Embattled judge's husband pleads guilty to beating her

Edward Halverson faces prison sentence for frying pan attack

By DAVID KIHARA
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Elizabeth Halverson



Edward Halverson

The husband of embattled District Judge Elizabeth Halverson Friday pleaded guilty to beating the suspended judge and will likely spend 3 to 10 years in prison.

Edward Halverson, 49, made an Alford plea to one count of battery with a deadly weapon resulting in substantial bodily harm. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to drop a charge of attempted murder with a deadly weapon.


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    • The Alford plea means Edward Halverson acknowledged that prosecutors could prove their case against him.

    On Friday morning he told District Judge David Barker that he didn't remember hitting his wife with a frying pan on Sept. 4 at the couple's home near U.S. Highway 95 and Tropicana Avenue.

    "You're honor, I don't have any recollection of the events of that night until I was helping her," he said.

    He and Elizabeth Halverson have been married for about 10 years.

    Edward Halverson, who has been in the county jail since his arrest in September, appeared in court wearing a navy blue jail uniform and had his hands and feet bound in shackles.

    "He knows he's going to prison," said Bita Khamsi, the deputy public defender representing Edward Halverson.

    He is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 12.

    Authorities said Edward Halverson struck his wife with a frying pan several times. She was hospitalized for two weeks after the attack and needed more than 100 medical staples to close deep wounds in her head.

    News of the attack surprised neighbors at the time of the incident. They described the Halversons as an average couple. Edward Halverson was known as a devoted spouse who helped care for Elizabeth Halverson, who suffers from diabetes, congestive heart failure and the after-effects of cancer. She has difficulty walking and uses oxygen to assist her breathing.

    On the night of the incident, the couple was at home discussing dinner plans. Elizabeth Halverson told a grand jury that Edward Halverson was supposed to cook dinner but hadn't by about 10:30 p.m.

    She said he was acting strangely and she threatened to call police if he didn't leave her alone. He then came into their bedroom and beat her with the frying pan, she told the grand jury.

    Edward Halverson has been arrested at least 10 times in three states, including on charges of possession of cocaine and burglary. He previously served almost four years in prison.

    Neither Elizabeth Halverson nor her attorneys could be reached for comment on Friday.

    She has been suspended from the bench since July 2007 but has continued to draw her $130,000 salary.

    She lost her bid for re-election and is facing a Nevada Judicial Discipline Commission complaint that she mistreated staff, treated a former bailiff like a personal slave, slept on the bench and couldn't adequately conduct trials.

    Her attorney conceded in documents that the judge made some errors but never harassed staff or treated her bailiff like a slave.

    Elizabeth Halverson is awaiting a decision from the commission, which could bar her from ever sitting as a judge again.

    The Associated Press contributed to this report. Contact reporter David Kihara at dkihara@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.

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    steph wrote on October 25, 2008 05:29 PM: This is what happens when people neglect to do their own research on Judges.

    Shame on us.


    Dan wrote on October 25, 2008 03:37 PM: How can we still pay that woman a salary of $130,000.00. This money is coming out of our pockets, I Think. Is ther some law to prevent her from drawing this money? I feel it is unfair when good citizens of this state are working hard and struggling to make ends meet, when she is sitting on her whatever drawing that kind of money. It is embarassing to the public eye....Thank you for your time.


    Pooly wrote on October 25, 2008 12:23 PM: Mr. Halverson has never been so relieved. He is happier than a pig in mud just being away from his loving wife.


    Huh? wrote on October 25, 2008 10:17 AM: "News of the attack surprised neighbors at the time of the incident. They described the Halversons as an average couple."
    Does Kihara get his stuff from the Mongols or from Tinnemeyer? I want some.


    DA Roger wrote on October 25, 2008 09:59 AM: Hey, I got OJ as promised.
    My work is done here.

    Now I can sit back relax and prepare to run for Governor.


    Our Lazy DA wrote on October 25, 2008 09:26 AM: Why was this man offered a plea deal that dismissed the attempted murder charges???? The evidence was there and the case should have been easy to prove. Yet, when our lazy DA wants some publicity he personally prosecutes the OJ case.


    br wrote on October 25, 2008 09:22 AM: Poor Elizabeth. She doesn't have anyone left massage her back, kiss her feet, cook her food or clean her bedpan. Maybe she can run her scooter through an automatic car wash for bathing. She will have to do something or be cited as a health hazard.


    Captain Obvious wrote on October 25, 2008 09:14 AM: Ed should plead "not guilty by reason of insanity". There is not a jury in America that would find him guilty when they saw how crazy one would have to be to mary the judge.


    ET wrote on October 25, 2008 08:28 AM: Poor thing.


    Jim Bob wrote on October 25, 2008 06:02 AM: No . . . please . . . not the green bean story again . . . . "I guess we're not eating now?"