Drug suspect remains in jail

Despite her family's assurance that she's no risk to the community, suspected drug trafficker Nadine Murray was turned down Wednesday in a fourth attempt to be released on her own recognizance.

"She's faced serious charges in the past and has never run," said Murray's lawyer, Derrick Lopez.

"Our hope is that we reach some type of resolution with the District Attorney's Office. We ask that Ms. Murray be released on house arrest with daily check-ins and testing," Lopez said.

Murray, 56, was arrested Jan. 10 at her East Valley Road residence with four co-defendants including her ex-husband Tom, owner of the house.

She faces the most serious charges including sales of a controlled substance, and three trafficking charges.

If convicted, Murray could face life in prison. She is being held in Douglas County Jail on $250,000 bail.

Prosecutor Kris Brown objected to the request.

EnEarl said he received a letter from Murray's sister wanting to know why the suspect had been turned down four times for release.

"The answer is simple," EnEarl said. "I don't feel it's warranted. There's certainly a strong possibility - while nothing has been proved - that the defendant is a major drug dealer in Carson Valley. If that's accurate, she is a major danger to the community."

Murray pleaded to be released to care for her dog which she said was "hanging on" and the prognosis was not good for recovery.

"I'm sorry for that. I truly am," EnEarl said. "I have a soft spot in my heart for animals, animal lovers and animal caregivers. But I did not put you in this situation. You did."

Lopez asked that a preliminary hearing set for March 2 be vacated and requested a status hearing March 21. He said Murray was considering seeking advice from another lawyer.

Co-defendant Karen Sclafani was sentenced Wednesday to a suspended six-month sentence in Douglas County Jail.

Sclafani, 41, of Carson City, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

In the pre-dawn raid on the Murrays' home, officers found Sclafani in an upstairs bedroom. She had a small vial in her pocket with methamphetamine residue.

She told EnEarl she'd been clean for 45 days.

"It feels good," she said. "And you (EnEarl) said I couldn't do it."

Sclafani said she wanted to move to Las Vegas and go to school to become a heavy equipment operator.

"My mind is just not focused on methamphetamine," she said. "My friends are gone and I want to go to school."

EnEarl warned her that "they have crank in Las Vegas."

He placed her on probation for a year.

"If you are successful, you will never spend another day in jail," he said.

Officers recovered 2 ounces of methamphetamine with a street value of $5,600 through the controlled purchases and confiscated at the house.

A motorcycle which had been stolen in Reno also was discovered at the residence.

In 1989, the Murrays were arrested for cultivation of marijuana at the home, and in 2001, the couple was arrested in connection with a methamphetamine lab.