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Traffic accident claims life of longtime, successful lawyer

Well-known Las Vegas attorney James “Bucky” Buchanan died in a traffic accident Saturday night after he crashed a Ferrari into a wall, Las Vegas police said.

The accident occurred just before 6 p.m. at Linden Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard, near Bonanza Road and Hollywood Boulevard, Las Vegas police Lt. Steve Herpolsheimer said.


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  • He said Buchanan was the only person in the vehicle. Herpolsheimer had no further details on the crash, which he said occurred near Buchanan’s home.

    Police said in a news release late Saturday night — which did not specifically identify Buchanan — that the 74-year-old driver was attempting to back into his driveway when he suffered a "medical episode."

    "This caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle and strike a concrete block wall with the rear of the vehicle," the release said.

    The driver was taken to University Medical Center where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

    Buchanan spent most of his law practice as a defense attorney. He had a list of high profile clients and a quick wit.

    In an April 2005 interview with the Review-Journal, asked why he came to Las Vegas nearly four decades ago, Buchanan said it was mostly for the strippers. Asked why he went into criminal defense work, Buchanan replied: “A funny thing happened on the way to the church.”

    Buchanan was widely recognized as one of the most successful and talented lawyers in Las Vegas. He spent five years as a prosecutor in Las Vegas before going into defense work.

    Michael Cherry, a Nevada Supreme Court Justice, said in the 2005 profile on Buchanan that he had an uncanny ability to entertain anyone he meets, including jurors.

    “Even the people who say negative things about him like him,” Cherry said.

    “People underestimate him,” Cherry said. “They think, `Oh, it’s Bucky,’ and then he comes into court and he is very, very good. He is one of the better trial lawyers.”

    Buchanan played a part in the notorious Ted Binion murder case. His client, David Mattsen, was a felon accused of being in possession of a firearm, and the case was receiving significant media attention because Mattsen was one of a group of men originally arrested in the theft of $7 million from a vault belonging to Binion.

    Jurors acquitted Mattsen at trial.

    "I believe in God and Buchanan," Mattsen told the Review-Journal afterward.

    Buchanan had his defeats, too. He lost a high-profile prosecution of Las Vegas teen Steven Gazlay, arrested in the 311 Boyz case and later convicted of beating a teen with a crowbar.

    Buchanan’s law practice and some savvy business deals are believed to have netted him millions. He also starred for a time in a Court TV reality show called “Las Vegas Law.”

    Buchanan, a native of Pennsylvania, is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., and he worked for several years building bombs for the military.

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    kristina wrote on November 11, 2009 08:30 PM: My husband and I would like to know when the memorial services are. We know alot of people who would like to attend the services as he was a great person and a wonderful friend.


    John runkle wrote on November 11, 2009 02:41 AM: mortgage broker John Runkle suspected the business that was on the loan application to be fraudulent;
    • The owner of the Business was discovered to have been arrested for 5 counts of Computer fraud and Identity theft of another female victim at his Real team mortgage and Real Estate business in San Bernardino months prior.

    • The owner of the business (Runkle) Real Estate license was suspended by the California Division of Real Estate due to lying on his real estate application concerning the felony arrest history for computer fraud/ID theft in California
    • The Owner of the business then came to Nevada and falsified/committed perjury under oath while applying for his Real Estate license with the State of Nevada concerning arrest history. Nevada Real Estate Division having no real way to access arrest history in other states and approved the application. Runkle should not have been practicing real estate during that time period.
    • During this period where the owner of the business was illegally practicing real Estate in the State of Nevada he received several complaints from victims that were sustained by the Nevada Real Estate division.

    • California Real Estate Division stated in there hearings on record that the owner of the business committed “Acts of Moral Turpitude” and was “dishonest”
    • Lastly, the Owner of the business has priors for felony Stalking and Obstructing a police Officer prior to my case.
    During this period all employees of Real Team Mortgage and Real Estate Firm were later discovered to be of poor character, possess criminal backgrounds and serious financial problems thus, had a motive for manipulating the Application and Affidavit, thus benefiting financially from the sale of property and close of the loan Employees of Real Team Mortgage and Real Estate Firm r predator lenders


    Casey wrote on November 10, 2009 08:39 PM: BuckyVictim wrote on November 10, 2009 03:03 AM:
    Good Riddance to the scum bag lawyer!!!Enjoy the Ferrari Ha Ha. Justice served.

    BuckyVictim you need to let go and stop being the martyr of the RJ comment section.


    Casey wrote on November 10, 2009 08:33 PM: Bucky was a good attorney and personable man. He helped me when as a young man I was in a pinch for some bad choices. He did his job and was good. If only everyone followed the same tenet. CP


    BuckyVictim wrote on November 10, 2009 03:03 AM: Good Riddance to the scum bag lawyer!!!Enjoy the Ferrari Ha Ha. Justice served.


    Alana Lea Kim wrote on November 09, 2009 03:03 PM: Bucky was such a good man my most heartfelt condolences to his family and all friends. Bucky meant so much to me within my life. He will always be a lifelong friend to me, shooting & hunter partner as well as a meantor to me since childhood.

    I have many of my fondest memories on his old ranch in Amargoosa. This is a man who gave whole heartedly within this community during his 40 something years in Vegas. As well as supporting wildlife conservation. Without a doubt this is the last era of the good ole boys. Someone mentioned Seymoure Brown, John Moran Sr-etc, where all such good men as well as very close with my family. My grandfather former Lt. Frank Kim would recall these men and what Las Vegas history is all about, and Bucky is that very definition when it comes to Las Vegas history. A true icon leaving our community. I will always love you and miss you Bucky.Someday we'll be hunting that big sky together again my friend


    rayn wrote on November 09, 2009 08:42 AM: While I didn't know him, I am in the medical field and a "medical incident" could have occured. He could have been a diabetic with low blood sugar, could have had a heart attack, etcetera, as there are any number of medical conditions that he could have had that would cause this to happen. I am pretty sure that if he did have a medical condition that he was being treated for, it wouldn't have been publicly broadcast. He would have kept it to himself and his nearest and dearest.

    As I am a diabetic, I have had personal experiences with "medical incidents" that have occurred while driving and I do not drink, do drugs nor am I on welfare.

    For the lawyers who have backed him, I applaud you. For those of you who put him down, you should re-think your responses because at some point you may develop a medical condition where something like this could happen to you.

    Remember, you never know.

    Bucky, may you rest in peace.


    RF113 wrote on November 08, 2009 10:04 PM: DEEPEST condolences to Bucky's family & friends!

    What is not mentioned is that he was SO much more than a defense atty! Bucky PROUDLY served our country, did large fundraisers, LOVED, supported & donated more time to OUR city & UNLV every chance he got!

    His kind heart "found" work for my son, a UNLV freshman that REALLY needed to earn some money but more importantly respected & learned from his guidance! This 19 year old has read your uneducated (you didn't know him) words and we cried that we had so many Vegans that could be so disrespecful! Have you even thought about what his family would think of your viciousness! Well, I'd like them to know that because of Bucky, my son has a goal to be a atty or judge.

    Bucky put himself through college and got a education you all just wish you had the willpower to do! Worked until his death (how many of you will work until 74 yrs of age) to support YOUR constitutional rights! THANK YOU BUCKY!




    laguna wrote on November 08, 2009 08:57 PM: Hey helen!

    People who defend thugs are called Liberals, like you.


    To Lester wrote on November 08, 2009 08:53 PM: Seems to me the real "low-lifes" are the criminals who enabled Bucky to buy that "killer Ferrari"!


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