Posted on: Friday, October 26, 2001

Casino killer gets four life sentences

Advertiser Staff

A Nevada judge yesterday sentenced Stephen Mullen to serve four consecutive life terms for a September 2000 shooting at Harrah's casino on the Las Vegas Strip in which a former Maui resident was killed.

Mullen, 32, had pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, attempted murder and two "use of a deadly weapon" counts.

Clark County District Judge Michael Cherry's sentence includes the possibility of parole after 20 years for each count.

"Even if he were granted parole after 20 years, he would then begin serving the next life term so in essence, he's sentenced to life in prison," court spokesman Michael Sommermeyer said.

Heather Vitarelli was killed by a stray bullet while casino security officers tried to wrestle a gun from Mullen.

Frank Harris, a security officer, was shot in the stomach during the struggle.

Co-defendant Michael Frimmel, who has pleaded guilty to four counts of theft related purse-snatchings in casinos, will be sentenced Nov. 2 by Cherry.