The retrial of Anthony Newton, accused of one of Las Vegas’s most gruesome murders, began with chilling opening statements as prosecutors and defense attorneys presented their starkly different narratives. Newton, 45, allegedly strangled, dismembered, and burned the body of Ulisys ‘Cesar’ Molina during the Christmas season of 2016.
Prosecutors argue that the crime was driven by revenge after Molina had an affair with Newton’s then-wife while Newton was in prison. Molina’s remains were discovered in early 2017, with a severed hand later shockingly found in a mailbox in Henderson, a year after his murder.
During Monday’s session, prosecutors laid out a gruesome sequence of events, asserting that Newton, along with his brother-in-law, George Malaperdas, and accomplice, Kelsea Glass, lured Molina to an apartment and carried out the heinous act. Both accomplices are awaiting sentencing for their roles in the crime, scheduled for February.
Defense attorney Josh Tomsheck countered by questioning the credibility of the state’s witnesses, suggesting ulterior motives for their testimonies and emphasizing a lack of direct evidence linking Newton to certain aspects of the crime, including the mysterious discovery of Molina’s severed hand.
The trial, expected to last three weeks, is being closely watched as the jury weighs harrowing evidence and conflicting testimonies. If found guilty, Newton could face the death penalty in a separate sentencing phase.
As the case unfolds, unanswered questions remain about the evidence and the involvement of others in the crime. The discovery of Molina’s hand in a mailbox continues to baffle investigators, adding an eerie layer of mystery to an already dark and complex trial.
