Man Accused of Las Vegas Strip Fatal Punch Claims He Was Stalked, Maintains Innocence

Posted on: March 6, 2021, 12:00h.

Last updated on: March 6, 2021, 05:53h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More

Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

Brandon Leath, who allegedly threw a single fatal punch on the Strip Sunday, reportedly denies any wrongdoing. But he now faces a murder charge in the death of a retired police officer.

If convicted, Leath could face life in prison — Thomas Driscoll, left, and Brandon Leath shown above. Leath allegedly threw a fatal punch at Driscoll near the Las Vegas Strip. He faces a murder charge in local court. (Images: CT State Police Alumni Association (left) and Metro Police)

Leath, 33, appeared in Las Vegas court this week for allegedly causing the death of a retired Connecticut state trooper who was visiting Nevada.

On Wednesday, when Leath appeared before Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Diana Sullivan, she warned him not to speak in court. But he did so anyway.

“I have been stalked, and there have been people that have been doing a lot of things,” Leath told Sullivan, according to local news reports. “…This is very serious. This is my life. Ma’am, I did not do anything wrong.”

The case was continued until later this month. Earlier this week, Leath was being held at the Clark County Detention Center without bail.

Mace Yampolsky was appointed to represent Leath. He is a criminal defense attorney in Nevada and is a past president of the Nevada Attorneys for Criminal Justice.

Yampolsky had no comment to the media when asked about the murder case. If convicted, Leath could face life in prison.

Shortly after the punch, Leath was apprehended by police officers near The Mirage. He denied punching Driscoll, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported based on police statements. But he confirmed he was in the area of the incident, the report adds.

The victim, Thomas Driscoll, 57, of Chicopee, Mass. worked for the Connecticut State Police for 22 years before retiring in 2009. For much of his career, he was assigned to the bomb squad.

At about 4:30 am Sunday, Driscoll and a woman were walking across a pedestrian bridge between The Cromwell Las Vegas Casino and Bally’s Las Vegas Casino. Leath began arguing with them, police said.

Then, the couple took a downward escalator. Leath allegedly made his way down nearby stairs.

The confrontation continued at the base of the escalator where Leath allegedly punched Driscoll. The ex-trooper fell onto his back from the impact.

Driscoll was taken to Sunrise Medical Hospital in Winchester, Nev. He was declared dead about an hour later, KLAS, a local TV station, reported.

An autopsy by the Clark County coroner’s office ruled the death was a homicide. Driscoll suffered injuries to the area near the base of his skull.

The woman was later identified as Nava Fuehrer. She apparently was not injured.

The incident was captured on surveillance camera video. It later was reviewed by local police.

Leath Allegedly Involved in Prior Unrelated Violence

Following the fatal attack, two unnamed men told KVVU, a local TV station, that they had tried to report Leath to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police for an alleged violent attack and other crimes unrelated to Driscoll.

The two men alleged Leath was a “ticking time bomb.” Leath allegedly punched one of the two men in a local convenience store near Fremont Street, the TV report said.

The man became unconscious after getting knocked out, the report claims.

“I have to see a doctor about my possible concussion,” the victim told the TV station. He claims to suffer from headaches and blurred vision, the report adds.

Prior Strip Violence

Since last year, there has been an uptick in violent crime along the Strip. Several people were hospitalized after shootings and other violence took place on or near the Strip.

In response, Metro police and other law enforcement agencies initiated a selective enforcement program called Operation Persistent Pressure.

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Last Word I WON November 28, 2021

It is a shame what has happened to this police officer but I do feel like it was mutual combat. I met Brandon 2019 beginning of the pandemic. He is a very likable kid very respectful and I believe was being targeted. He told me about him being a pro boxer he's also produce pictures with some key boxing figures. He seemed like a pretty decent kid when I met him and went into a little bit of detail about what was up with him and his situation. I believe from what I know of this guy which isn't much that he felt threatened he wouldn't put his career in danger. I guarantee there was an exchange and they happen to cross paths again and that's when there was an altercation. Not saying that he's right not saying that he's wrong but this is a cautionary tale of when you put your hands on somebody you need to be prepared for the outcome, and that goes for both sides. Just because somebody punches somebody does not make it a homicide right off the gate, what led up to you the altercation? We already know how the judicial system works especially when they are prosecuting someone for a crime against a police officer especially a so-called Black Man. Reading some of the comments here makes me wonder of the mentality of those people with the negative comments or bias. How do we know that these two don't know each other or that this cop was not stalking him. The cop is from the area of the country where Brandon is from. There's more to the story than what we are told and there has not been a verdict or anything. I hope this young man takes it to the box beats these charges and moves along with life to help raise his daughter. It is a tragedy on all sides but this incident does not make Brandon an animal just as much as it doesn't totally exonerate the retired bomb squad airport cop. Look at how many cops abuse their power, look at the fact that they call themselves a fraternal order most people don't realize it but there are even cops that are part of biker gangs, skinhead groups, street gangs, Freemasonry in many forms, human trafficking, drug trafficking/sales, and more. Don't get me wrong there are some awesome cops I grew up with a couple and they are great people. But when cops go sideways they really go sideways. Think about it most cops over time get jilted or jaded because you've dealt with so many bad people you begin to believe that that's all that's out there is bad people. I've heard of stories of groups of police officers stocking citizens, I've also heard of other groups stocking citizens as well which cops are a part of. I believe this young man's story about being stalked.
Islast Isfirst March 21, 2021

I suspect he was stalked. I know the Snohomish county sheriff's out here in Washington along with the other local law enforcement of the surrounding cities do so themselves. The have the help of city, county employees as well as citizens police academy and whoever the big store chain's pay to harass the homeless out here. Followed the name to a place in new Jersey, just across the border from Connecticut. The retired cop only lived 2 1/2 hours from where Leath probably came from. It's police gangstalking and the extents they go through to try and make people get vomited, imprisoned or take their own lives. Snohomish county sheriff Adam Fortney is all for this kind of cruelty and is a big coward. My gut tells me that the dead cop deserves it, and Leath is literally protecting his own life. Gangstalking is no joke, it happens everywhere around the world by a bunch of bored cowards trying to get their rocks off.
Annie March 18, 2021

The suspect killer was a professional boxer. His hands were a weapon.
G. Stewart March 13, 2021

Responding to Tom Jones, Medical Examiner ruled it a homicide because he/she feels that the deliberate and unlawful action of the suspect caused the victim to fall a strike the back of his head causing the injury that led to his death. Therefore, the victim died at the hands of another making it a homicide.
Tom Jones March 11, 2021

So wait. How is this ruled a homicide if the blow was to the base/back of the head? Was he punched in the back of the head or the face?
C.B. March 7, 2021

The victims family better keep a close eye on this case. Because the "mighty" Clark County judicial machine has an extensive record of light punishment for loitering brutes that kill strip tourists in this manner. And the light sentences all applied to series of near identical cases as here. They've already begun to downgrade the incident as a mere "fight" and "just random". Exactly the way they made light of the other deadly punching attacks. Even though the suspect became enraged almost on sight of the passing couple. Then pursued and trapped them on the escalator end point. But again, hostile intentions like this has become ordinary on the late night Las Vegas strip now for years. Where it's become all but impossible to walk even 3 blocks on Las Vegas Blvd. anymore without being accosted, confronted or targeted in some direct way. Let it be known that this attack was not "random" or "incidental" at all. But very predictable.
Virginia Torrez Summers March 6, 2021

Another tragedy. Put the crazy liar away. He’s a danger to society. When we visit Las Vegas we should not have to Worry about our life being threatened by such an idiot.
Tim Judge March 6, 2021

Drais is a problem every weekend that this club is open the fights outside the club stabbing the valet guy last year shootings etc. it’s a constant problem. The club pushes these incidences outside the club so they claim the patrons are passerby or from the Cromwell. This club is a nuesince and the city does not need this type of club. How many people have to die in front of the Cromwell