Clark County DA Seeks Nevada Executions | Ryan Rose

May 8, 2026 · Ryan Rose, Real Broker LLC

District Attorney Steve Wolfson has filed motions seeking execution warrants for death row inmates who have exhausted all appeals. If approved, the executions would be the first in Nevada since 2006.

 

For the first time in nearly 20 years, Nevada could carry out an execution. Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson has filed motions seeking execution warrants for two death row inmates at Ely State Prison. The move marks a significant step in a state that has not executed anyone since Daryl Mack was put to death by lethal injection on April 26, 2006.

The inmates named in the motions are Donald William Sherman and Zane Michael Floyd. Both men were convicted of separate, violent crimes in the 1990s. Both have been on death row for more than 25 years. And according to the DA's office, both have exhausted their state and federal appeals.

If the warrants are approved by a judge, executions could be scheduled for the week of September 14, 2026. That would end the longest gap without an execution in Nevada since the state reinstated capital punishment in 1977.

This is a story that touches on the criminal justice system, legal procedure, and the broader question of how Clark County handles its most serious criminal cases. It is also a story that has drawn strong reactions from victims' families, defense attorneys, and community advocates on both sides of the issue. Here is what we know so far and what it could mean for Clark County going forward.

What Happened

 

On April 15, 2026, Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson announced that his office would seek execution warrants for inmates on Nevada's death row. The DA's office then filed formal motions with the court requesting warrants for Donald William Sherman, 62, and Zane Michael Floyd, 50. A third inmate, Sterling Atkins, 52, was also named in the broader announcement.

Sherman was convicted for the 1994 murder of Dr. Lester Bauer, a 63-year-old retired doctor living in Sun City. Bauer was beaten to death with a hammer while he slept in his home. After the killing, Sherman used the victim's credit card to hire an escort. At the time of the murder, Sherman was on parole for a previous 1981 killing of an Idaho store owner during an attempted robbery. He was sentenced to death in 1997.

Floyd was convicted for a 1999 mass shooting at an Albertsons grocery store in Las Vegas. He shot and killed four people outside the store: Thomas Darnell, Carlos Leos, Dennis Troy Sargent, and Lucille Tarantino. A fifth victim, employee Zachary Emenegger, survived the shooting. Floyd, a Marine Corps veteran, was sentenced to death in 2000.

The third inmate included in the DA's announcement, Sterling Atkins, was sentenced to death for his role in the 1994 beating, sexual assault, and strangulation of Ebony Mason, a young mother in North Las Vegas.

Wolfson stated that prosecutors believe all three men have exhausted their post-conviction appeals. The U.S. Supreme Court recently denied their appeals and rejected arguments that executing someone after such a lengthy delay constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. The court noted that the defendants themselves had caused many of the delays through years of legal challenges.

The proposed method of execution is lethal injection using a three-drug protocol. The drugs are designed to induce unconsciousness, stop circulatory function, and halt respiration.

Why It Matters for Clark County

This decision matters for several reasons beyond the individual cases involved. Clark County is the most populous county in Nevada and home to Las Vegas. It is also the county that has sought the death penalty more than any other in the state. The outcome of these motions will set a precedent for how capital punishment cases move forward in Nevada.

Nevada has not executed anyone in 20 years. During that gap, the state struggled to obtain the drugs needed for lethal injection. Pharmaceutical companies have increasingly refused to sell drugs for use in executions, creating a nationwide challenge for states that still carry out the death penalty. Wolfson has indicated that the state now has better access to new lethal injection drugs, which is part of why his office is moving forward now.

 

For the community, this development raises questions about the use of public resources and the role of capital punishment in the local justice system. Mark Bettencourt, director of the Nevada Coalition Against the Death Penalty, called the decision a waste of public resources. Defense attorneys predict that the DA's announcement will trigger a new round of expensive and technical litigation over how Nevada obtains execution drugs, what protocols are used, and who is legally eligible to be put to death.

This is not the first time Wolfson has pursued execution warrants. In 2021, his office requested a warrant for Zane Floyd's execution, but the case became entangled in litigation over lethal injection drugs. That experience suggests the path from warrant to execution is far from straightforward. Even with the Supreme Court denying recent appeals, defense attorneys say they expect to raise additional challenges in both state and federal courts.

The cases also highlight the human toll on victims' families. Lani Tarantino, the daughter of Lucille Tarantino who was killed in the Albertsons shooting, has publicly stated that while she opposes the death penalty, she believes Floyd should remain in prison for life. Her perspective shows how complex these cases can be, even for those most directly affected by the crimes.

From a broader perspective, Clark County has been described as an outlier in how aggressively it pursues death sentences compared to other counties of similar size nationwide. This latest push for execution warrants reinforces that reputation and places the county at the center of the national conversation about capital punishment.

Background

Nevada has a long history with capital punishment. The state has carried out 60 executions since 1860. The methods have changed over the decades. Hanging was the original method. In 1911, the law was changed to allow prisoners to choose a firing squad. In 1921, Nevada became the first state in the nation to use a gas chamber for executions. Lethal injection became the sole method of execution starting in 1985, when Carroll Edward Cole was executed.

The last person put to death in Nevada was Daryl Linnie Mack on April 26, 2006. Mack had been convicted of strangling Betty Jane May to death in 1988. He was the 12th inmate executed since the state reinstated capital punishment in 1977 after a brief national moratorium.

 

Since 2006, the shortage of lethal injection drugs has been the primary barrier to carrying out executions. Drug manufacturers, particularly in Europe, have restricted sales for execution purposes. This has led to legal battles in multiple states over drug sourcing and protocols. Nevada has been no exception. Former DA David Roger, who prosecuted the Sherman case in the 1990s, has noted that pharmaceutical companies sometimes refuse to provide execution drugs, complicating the process even when legal appeals are resolved.

As of recent reporting, Nevada's death row houses approximately 57 to 64 inmates at Ely State Prison in White Pine County. The prison, which opened in 1989, is a maximum-security facility located in rural eastern Nevada. It has an execution chamber, but it has not been used in two decades. Prison spokesperson Teri Vance noted that an execution manual will need to be created once warrants are received, indicating that the state does not currently have a finalized execution protocol in place.

What Happens Next

The next step is for a Clark County judge to decide whether to issue the execution warrants. If warrants are granted, executions would be scheduled for the week of September 14, 2026. But legal experts and defense attorneys predict that the process will not be that simple.

Defense attorneys have signaled that they plan to challenge the warrants in both state and federal courts. The legal battles are expected to focus on several issues. First, there are questions about the state's lethal injection protocol. Nevada does not currently have a finalized execution manual, and the specific drugs and procedures will be subject to legal scrutiny. Second, there are potential challenges related to the eligibility of individual inmates. In the case of Sterling Atkins, defense attorney A. Richard Ellis has argued that Atkins may have an intellectual disability claim that was never properly raised in state court, which could make him ineligible for execution under federal law.

The procurement of lethal injection drugs remains uncertain. While Wolfson has said the state has better access to drugs now, he acknowledged that obtaining the drugs is not guaranteed. He stated he was told there is a likelihood of obtaining the drugs and expressed intent to move forward if lethal injections become available.

Even if the legal and logistical hurdles are cleared, the timeline could stretch well beyond September 2026. The 2021 attempt to execute Zane Floyd was derailed by drug-related litigation, and defense attorneys say this round could follow a similar pattern. The outcome will depend on how courts rule on the various challenges, whether the state can finalize its execution protocol, and whether it can secure the necessary drugs.

This process will be closely watched by legal observers, advocacy groups, and residents across Clark County and the state.

Ryan's Take

This is one of those stories that affects the whole community, even though it might not seem directly connected to real estate or daily life in Las Vegas. The decisions made by our local government, including the DA's office, shape the character and reputation of Clark County.

As someone who lives and works here, I think it is important for residents to stay informed about how our justice system operates. Whether you support or oppose capital punishment, understanding what is happening in our county courts matters. These are decisions made with our tax dollars and in our name.

I share local news like this because I believe an informed community is a stronger community. When people understand what is going on around them, from new housing developments to government decisions like this one, they are better equipped to engage with the place they call home. Clark County is growing and changing every year, and staying connected to the news is part of being a good neighbor.

I will continue to follow this story as it develops. If warrants are issued and legal challenges proceed, it could be a defining moment for how Nevada handles capital punishment going forward.

What You Can Do

If this story interests you, there are several ways to stay engaged and informed.

Stay informed. Follow updates from the Clark County District Attorney's office and local news outlets. The legal process for execution warrants involves multiple steps and court hearings that will play out over the coming months.

Understand the process. Capital punishment cases involve years of legal proceedings. Learning about how the appeals process works and what an execution warrant means can help you understand the significance of this news.

Engage with your community. Talk to your neighbors and friends about what is happening in Clark County. Local government decisions affect everyone, and community conversations are how we stay connected. Attend public meetings or reach out to your elected officials if you have questions or want to share your perspective.

 

Follow local news. I cover stories like this regularly because I believe that local news is the foundation of an informed community. You can check back on my blog for updates on this story and other developments across Clark County.