A jury is hearing opening statements Tuesday in the trial of a 43-year-old U.S. Military Academy graduate and former Las Vegas firefighter accused of hiring a homeless man to kill his casino cocktail waitress wife nearly three years ago.
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A jury was seated Tuesday morning in the George Tiaffay murder-for-hire trial and heard opening statements about the murder of Shauna Tiaffay three years ago.
George Miguel Tiaffay (TEE’-uh-fay) is facing conspiracy, murder and other charges in the September 2012 bludgeoning death of Shauna Tiaffay.
Prosecutors say Tiaffay befriended, supplied and promised to pay Stevens after his wife told him their relationship was over.
State prosecutors laid out how George Tiaffay helped Stevens purchase the hammer and clothes he wore on the night of the killing.
“That, right there, is what it is that Noel Stevens was going to use to kill Shauna Tiaffay”, DiGiacomo addressed to jurors. He said Tiaffay’s estranged wife didn’t deserve to be murdered by Noel Scott Stevens. In addition, surveillance videos were played showing the two buying clothing, a tent and a hammer. They found a tag to a hammer like the murder weapon in another of Stevens’ desert encampments.
Under questioning by defense attorney Robert Langford, Pennix said he’d been paid $2,000 for the tip that led police to arrest Stevens.
As police prepared to interview George Tiaffay, he was badly injured behind the wheel of a speeding pickup truck that slammed into a concrete retaining wall. In documents, Stevens told police he usually did odd jobs for the firefighter.
Tiaffay has pleaded not guilty to similar charges and would face life in prison if he is found guilty.
Bloody jeans with DNA matching Stevens and Shauna Tiaffay were found near one of Stevens’ tents. “They’re not violent and they’re easily explained”.
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Mr Langford said the only thing certain is that Stevens killed Shauna Tiaffay.
