A federal jury has awarded more than $34 million to Kirstin Blaise Lobato, who served nearly 16 years in a Nevada state prison for a 2001 killing in Las Vegas she did not commit. No physical evidence tied her to the crime. Police officers testified in her original trial that she twice confessed to the crime, but attorneys in her lawsuit said those confessions were faked. After the Nevada Supreme Court threw out her conviction in 2002, Lobato was tried and convicted again in 2006. But in 2017, the Innocence Project presented expert testimony questioning the estimated time of the victim’s death presented by the prosecution. The experts argued that based on the state of the body when it was discovered, the death happened during a period when Lobato was no longer in the city. Based on that evidence, a court vacated her sentence. The Clark County District Attorney’s Office later dropped all charges against her.

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) -Nevada Democratic leaders praised former President Jimmy Carter, who died Sunday at age 100.

Carter was not popular with Nevada voters, losing the 1976 presidential vote in Nevada to Gerald Ford 50 percent to 46 percent. Carter lost Nevada in 1980 to Ronald Reagan, a friend of Nevada Sen. Paul Laxalt, 63 percent to 37 percent.

Carter’s son, Jack, challenged Republican U.S. Sen. John Ensign in the 2006 election and Carter campaigned for his son in Nevada.

Nevada’s Democratic leaders praised Carter for his integrity amd his vision.

U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto

“President Jimmy Carter dedicated his life to serving the American people and working for a more peaceful future. He was a shining example of public service, and his love of his country, his family, and his fellow Americans will always be remembered. Paul and I extend our deepest condolences to the Carter family during this difficult time.”

U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen

“President Jimmy Carter dedicated his life to serving others and improving the lives of Americans everywhere. He inspired generations to make the world a better place, and we’re all better off because of his service to our nation. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”

Rep. Susie Lee

President Jimmy Carter — a Nobel Peace Prize winner — was a champion for working families, environmental conservation, human rights, & education. He was a man of faith who continued to serve those in need long after he left office.

Pres. Carter’s legacy will never be forgotten.

The Nevada Democratic Party

We mourn the loss of President Jimmy Carter, a champion of peace and humanitarianism. His work both in office and beyond has left an indelible mark on the world. Our hearts go out to his loved ones and all who admired his commitment to justice and service. Rest in Peace, President Carter.

Copyright 2024 KOLO. All rights reserved.

President Jimmy Carter’s son lost to John Ensign in a run for U.S. Senate in 2002.

Former President Jimmy Carter, who is longest-lived American president, has died. He was 100.

Carter was a Georgia governor when he won the 1976 presidency, defeating then-President Gerald R. Ford.

Here are some ties to the Silver State for the 39th president.

More: Jimmy Carter, 39th US president and noted humanitarian, has died

GOP governor hung onto Carter keepsake for decades

When he was 12 years old, Brian Sandoval was with his family in Washington, D.C., and bought a peanut-shaped piggy bank which honored then-President Jimmy Carter, who was a peanut farmer. Forty years later, in 2017 then-Nevada Gov. Sandoval brought it to Reno-Tahoe Airport, and former President Carter signed it for him.

His son ran for office in Nevada

In 2006, Jack Carter was the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Nevada. The oldest child of Jimmy Carter moved to the state in 2002, and won the Democratic nomination with 78% of the vote. He lost the general election to incumbent Republican John Ensign, 55% to 41%.

Carter visited UNR to watch things shake

In 2017, Carter visited the University of Nevada Earthquake Engineering Laboratory.

UNR wrote that while the lab “has had some exciting experiments and distinguished visitors over the years, the most exciting was a visit and tour this year with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter.”

“We were proud to host President Carter and his group, the Carter Center; It was a highlight for all of us,” Ahmad Itani, chair of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department said. “To be able to show off our facility and the world-improving research we conduct was the highest honor.”

UNR’s boxing coach could have gone to the Olympics if it wasn’t for Carter

Pat Jefferson, a University of Nevada boxing coach, was a 1979 World Amateur Champion in boxing. He would have gone to the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, but Carter and the United States boycotted the games that year due to the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan the previous year.

In 1980, he was captain of a U.S. AAU team that went to Russia, where he defeated the Russian national champion.

Jefferson turned pro in 1980 after the American boycott of the Moscow Olympics.

A longtime Reno resident was his commanding officer in the Navy

John B. Williams, a Reno High graduate, University of Nevada undergraduate student and Wolf Pack basketball player, was Carter’s commanding officer on the submarine U.S. Pomfret from 1948 to 1950. Williams served as lieutenant commander while Carter, a fellow alumnus of the Naval Academy, was an ensign who rose to the rank of lieutenant while serving under Williams.

After retiring from the Navy, Williams returned to Reno and ended up reuniting with Carter during the future president’s 1976 campaign stop here. Williams was a guest of Carter at Carter’s 1977 inauguration.