Man takes plea deal in Caesars Palace shooting

A Nevada man has pleaded guilty to shooting two people in a casino elevator lobby on the Las Vegas Strip and avoided trial on charges that could have gotten him life in prison. Richard Earl Shepherd Jr., 35, faces three to 40 years in prison after admitting Monday that he opened fire Aug. 4, 2007, inside the Caesars Palace hotel-casino, prosecutor Victoria Villegas said. Shepherd pleaded guilty to one charge of attempted murder with a deadly weapon in the early morning shooting, which wounded a 20-year-old a 23-year-old. Prosecutors dropped two other charges of attempted murder and one count each of burglary with a weapon and carrying a concealed firearm. Villegas said Shepherd admitted shooting at but missing a 19-year-old as people dived for cover. She called the shooting premeditated retaliation for a fight with several... [read full story]