Death penalty sought for suspect in killings

Lyon County prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty for the 25-year-old man accused of killing five people in Fernley and Mustang in May.

Deputy District Attorney Jeremy Reichenberg told the Reno Gazette-Journal he will refile all 19 counts against Jeremiah Bean and ask for his execution if found guilty after Bean changed his mind Thursday and entered a not guilty plea in district court.

Bean’s defense lawyer, John Arrascada, said he was taken by surprise when Bean decided against pleading guilty as part of a plea agreement in which prosecutors agreed they would not seek the death penalty.

Bean is charged with killing two couples in two homes in rural Fernley and a newspaper deliveryman at an Interstate 80 exit east of Reno.