Mason makes first court appearance in connection with murders of Anne Reed and Kylie Leyva

Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Flowers, photos, candles and messages of love memorialize two young women, Anne Reed and Kylie Leyva, stabbed to death in an attack on Monday, May 26. Messages of sympathy also have been posted on the Nevada Daily Mail's Web site, www.nevadadailymail.com. --Rusty Murry/Daily Mail

The families of two Nevada teens, Anne Reed, 18, and Kylie Leyva, 14, murdered over the weekend were in court to witness the first appearance of Garrett Matthew Mason, 17, Nevada, who is charged in the killings. Several in attendance had shirts with the names of the victims on them. Mason's family was seated in the first row.

Photos, emotional messages of love and grief, flowers and other items lay on the steps of Reed's home, a memorial honoring the lives lost, and messages like this one have already appeared on the Nevada Daily Mail's Web site, www.nevadadailymail.com: "To the victims' families: my heart goes out to you in this trying of times, but remember God has a plan for each and everyone of us. God bless." Still others are left wondering why such a crime took place in a town that hasn't seen a murder within its city limits for more than 20 years. The hearing was to provide no answers; only a formal reading of the charges and the news that Mason intends to be represented by an attorney.

During the hearing before Judge Neal Quitno in the Vernon County Circuit Courtroom, Mason was arraigned on two charges of murder in the first degree and two counts of armed criminal action in connection with the incident.

The probable cause statement provided by the Nevada Police Department says that at approximately 6:25 p.m., May 24, three officers were dispatched to the home of Reed at 620 N. Cedar, where they discovered two females with stab wounds. Both victims were taken by ambulance to Nevada Regional Medical Center and then transported by air ambulance to Joplin where both were pronounced dead. Police were notified of their deaths at about 11 p.m., May 24.

Court documents say two witnesses were contacted and said that one of the victims had named Garrett Mason as the person who stabbed her and her friend.

Three other witnesses were contacted, according to the probable cause statement, who stated Mason told them to say he was with them for the past several hours, and that he then changed his clothes and put them and a backpack in the trunk of a vehicle. Mason was arrested later at his home, which is roughly across the street from where the murders took place. After Mason was arrested, his backpack and clothing were recovered and appeared to have blood stains on his clothes and shoes.

News accounts over the weekend indicated that Mason was sitting on the curb when police arrived Sunday night, but the Daily Mail was unable to confirm this detail.

Representatives from a variety of media outlets were present as well, and Quitno cautioned the crowd that although some in the media had requested the opportunity to record audio and video of the proceedings none would be allowed because of a Supreme Court opinion that such recordings could not be permitted in cases where the accused doesn't have council. He also said that cell phones were also not permitted. Vernon County Sheriff Ron Peckman said that if anyone attempted to take a picture with a cell phone, it would be confiscated.

Quitno told Mason the reason for the appearance in court was for the court to tell him what the charges were and let him know his rights.

"We're here to let you know what the charges are and to advise you of your rights," Quitno said.

Quitno then read off the charges, two counts of first degree murder, for which the lightest punishment is life imprisonment without the possibility of parole and two counts of armed criminal action.

Quitno asked Mason if he understood each of the charges as they were read and Mason indicated he did. He then told the judge he did not have an attorney but planned to hire one before his next scheduled court appearance, June 11, at 10:30 a.m.

Quitno continued the $2 million bond and Mason was returned to the Vernon County Jail.

Afterwards, Vernon County Prosecuting Attorney Lynn Ewing III was questioned by television reporters about rumors of an alleged "hit list" that Mason was supposed to have. Ewing said that there was no evidence to show that such a list existed.

Nevada R-5 Superintendent David Stephens said Bryan Thomsen, principal of the high school, and Deputy Pat McCarty, the school resource officer, had questioned several people and found no evidence of such a list.

"If anyone has information about a list I would appreciate them letting me know," Stephens said.

Rumors abound as the community speculates on why the murders took place; but no evidence in answer of that elusive question has been released.

Ewing did tell reporters, "I can tell you the evidence we will present will ultimately lead to the conviction of this young man for two murders."

Nevada Police Chief Gary Herstein said he could not recall exactly when the last homicide occurred in Nevada but believed it was the murder of Melody Schrieweis in the late 1980s, although other murders have taken place in other parts of Vernon County since then.

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