10 yr old Jade Morris Missing After Casino Stabbing, Found Dead!! Update:DNA found incriminates Brenda Stokes aka Brenda Wilson, Jade's Father's fiancé/Trial starts April 20, 2015.

(CBS/AP) LAS VEGAS - Police are looking for a 10-year-old girl last seen with a Las Vegas casino card dealer, who is accused of using razor blades to slash a co-worker's face at the Bellagio resort.

Capt. Chris Jones told The Associated Press on Thursday that investigators hope someone knows where Jade Morris is.

The girl was last seen by her family at about 5p.m. last Friday with 50-year-old Brenda Stokes, who also uses the name Brenda Wilson.

She was supposed to have taken the girl shopping.

Stokes was arrested about 9:30p.m. that night after allegedly attacking a female co-worker who was dealing blackjack at the Bellagio.

She is being held on felony charges related to the attack.

Police have detained a 2007 Saab sedan Stokes had been driving that evening.

Jade Morris is described as a five-foot-tall, 70-pound, African-American girl with her black hair last seen in two ponytails.
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Booking photo of Brenda Stokes / Clark County Detention Center via CBS Las Vegas

Authorities in Nevada are trying to locate a missing child who was in the care of a woman later arrested for stabbing a co-worker at a Las Vegas casino.

Jade Morris, 10, was last seen Friday by family members, when she got into a red, 2007 four-door Saab with her father's fiancee, 50-year-old Brenda Stokes, also known as Brenda Wilson. Jade's father was out of town at the time.

"Jade went shopping with [Stokes] at about 4:50 p.m., but by 9 p.m. they had not returned," Morris' godmother, Ni'cola Mitchell, told The Huffington Post.

When Stokes failed to return with Jade, the little girl’s mother contacted police and reported her missing. The girl's mother then learned Stokes had been arrested at the Bellagio casino, following a violent altercation with another woman.

According to the Las Vegas Police Department, Stokes was arrested at about 10 p.m. Friday, accused of slashing the face of friend and co-worker Joyce Rhone, 44, several times with "an edged blade."

Rhone survived the attack, but was admitted to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center with deep lacerations to her face, police said.

Stokes told police she would have killed Rhone if casino security had not intervened.


"Hell, yeah," Stokes told investigators, according to a police report obtained by the Las Vegas Review Journal. "I would have whooped that ass. I would have killed her. I should have killed her."

Stokes referred to a betrayal that had ended her seven-year friendship with Rhone and said she recently had gone to a doctor because she felt as though "she wanted to hurt someone."

According to police, Stokes initially denied she had Jade with her Friday. She has since asked for an attorney, Mitchell said.

Stokes is being held at the Clark County Detention Center on multiple charges, including battery with a deadly weapon, battery with use of a deadly weapon with substantial bodily harm, and mayhem.
Contacted by police Wednesday, a spokeswoman for Las Vegas police told The Huffington Post that the investigation is ongoing.

Mitchell said she is very concerned for her goddaughter's safety.

"The police have only given us limited information so we don't even know where to begin searching," Mitchell said. "We just want to find her. We just want her safe."

Jade Morris is described as an African American female, 5 feet tall and about 70 pounds with black hair and a medium complexion. Her hair was in two ponytails and she was last seen wearing blue jeans, a blue shirt and a long brown jacket.

The Black and Missing Foundation is assisting Jade's family. The organization is urging anyone with information concerning Morris' whereabouts to contact Las Vegas police at 702-828-3111 or 702-828-2907 or confidentially via their website.
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LAS VEGAS (AP) — An outburst by the father of a missing 10-year-old girl marred the first court hearing for a casino card dealer accused of using razor blades to slash a co-worker's face at a blackjack table at an upscale Las Vegas Strip resort.

Jade Morris' father, shouting "Where's my baby at?" interrupted the initial appearance for Bellagio employee Brenda Stokes before an armed Las Vegas Justice Court bailiff ushered him into the hallway, KTNV-TV 13 News reported.

The girl was last seen by her family at about 5 p.m. Friday in the custody of Stokes, 50, who also goes by the names Brenda Stokes Wilson and Brenda Jean Stokes. KTNV-TV reported Stokes was engaged to the child's father.

She was supposed to have taken the girl shopping, police said.

According to investigators, at about 9:30 p.m. Friday, Stokes wielded a razor blade in each hand as she attacked a female co-worker and former friend at a blackjack table at the Bellagio.

Joyce Rhone, 44, was working at the time. She was hospitalized with deep cuts on her face, including one from her ear to the edge of her mouth, according to a police arrest report. Rhone also had several smaller cuts around her right eye, the police report said.

Police say casino video showed Stokes attacking Rhone before a casino patron and security officers intervened. Officer Marcus Martin said the video is evidence that may be shown by prosecutors in court but will not be made public by police.

Stokes was arrested and is being held at the Clark County jail on felony battery with a weapon, burglary and mayhem charges.

Police said Stokes later told investigators that she attacked Rhone over harassing phone calls and an unspecified betrayal that ended their seven-year friendship.

Stokes also told police she visited her doctor last week, seeking to be admitted to a hospital "due to feeling like she wanted to hurt someone."

She is reported to have told investigators she wasn't taking a prescription anti-anxiety drug, and that, "Sometimes people just snap."
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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- 10-year-old Jade Morris has been missing since Friday and her family is desperate to get her back.

Morris was last seen with Brenda Stokes, the woman that is accused of slashing her co-worker's face at the Bellagio the same day that Morris disappeared.

The grandmother of Jade Morris has been passing out fliers in her neighborhood and other areas of the Las Vegas Valley. It is the only thing that she can think of to do to get the 10-year-old girl back.

On Wednesday, Jade's parents were in court to see Brenda Stokes during her first court appearance. It was the first time they had seen Brenda since Jade disappeared and emotions ran high in the courtroom.

Phillip Morris was escorted from the courtroom after he began yelling at Stokes.

Jade's mother was also there and she said that she is losing hope of seeing her daughter again.
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Video at link

UPDATE: The press conference has been cancelled per Las Vegas police.

Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has called a press conference at 1:30 p.m. today about the missing 10-year-old Jade Morris.

Morris went missing on Dec. 21. She was last seen with Brenda Stokes, the woman that was arrested later that day for allegedly attacking her co-worker at the Bellagio with two razor blades.

Morris was last seen in the area of Martin Luther King Boulevard and Alta Drive. Stokes had picked up the girl to take her shopping at the Las Vegas Premium Outlets near downtown Las Vegas.

Stokes made her first court appearance Wednesday morning. Morris' parents were in attendance and Jade's father was escorted from the courtroom after he began yelling at Stokes.

Stokes was driving a 2007 red four-door Saab at the time of Morris' disappearance.

The Red Rock Search & Rescue group joined the efforts to locate Morris this morning. They have set up a command center near Wigwam Parkway and Rainbow Boulevard and say that they are looking for volunteers.

Action News will have a crew at the press conference and will update this story with new information as soon as it becomes available.
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Yet another missing child due to this maniac. HOW could the parents allow this poor child to be w/this nutjob??

Thank you to Raine for posting this!

Posted: 12/27/2012 7:51 pm EST
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According to the family of 10-year-old Jade Morris, the little girl was found dead on Thursday afternoon.
The body of 10-year-old Jade Morris was found in a Nevada desert on Thursday, according to family members.

The discovery was made by a man walking his dog near an unfinished housing development in the northern stretches of the Las Vegas Valley, Las Vegas Metro Police said.

Family members told the Black and Missing Foundation that they visually identified the remains for police, who have not yet released a statement positively identifying the body.

"We are heartbroken today. It has been confirmed by family members that the body of ... Jade Morris has been found. We pray for her family," Natalie Wilson, co-founder of the organization, told The Huffington Post.

Wilson said the family wasn't told the cause of death.

Jade was last seen Friday by family members, when she got into a red, 2007 four-door Saab with her father's fiancee, 50-year-old Brenda Stokes, also known as Brenda Wilson. Jade's father was out of town at the time.

"Jade went shopping with [Stokes] at about 4:50 p.m., but by 9 p.m. they had not returned," Morris' godmother, Ni'cola Mitchell, told HuffPost on Wednesday.

When Stokes failed to return with Jade, the little girl’s mother contacted police and reported her missing. The girl's mother then learned Stokes had been arrested at the Bellagio casino, following a violent altercation with another woman.

According to the Las Vegas Police Department, Stokes was arrested at about 10 p.m. Friday, accused of slashing the face of friend and co-worker Joyce Rhone, 44, several times with "an edged blade." Rhone was admitted to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center with deep lacerations to her face, police said.

Stokes told police she would have killed Rhone if casino security had not intervened.

"Hell, yeah," Stokes told investigators, according to a police report obtained by the Las Vegas Review Journal. "I would have whooped that ass. I would have killed her. I should have killed her."

Stokes was charged with battery with a deadly weapon, battery with use of a deadly weapon with substantial bodily harm and mayhem.

Jade Morris' father interrupted Stokes first court appearance Wednesday, shouting "Where's my baby at?" A Las Vegas Justice Court bailiff ushered him out of the court proceeding.

Stokes was held at the Clark County jail. She has not been charged in connection with Jade's death. Oh, but you can bet she Will be!! Horrible News!!

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Vegas police investigate discovery of girl's body

By KEN RITTER, Associated Press
Updated 6:27 pm, Thursday, December 27, 2012

NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. (AP) — Police investigating the week-old disappearance of a 10-year-old Las Vegas girl said Thursday they think they found the child's body in an undeveloped housing tract in North Las Vegas.

Authorities couldn't immediately confirm the body was Jade Morris pending positive identification and notification of family members by the Clark County coroner, Las Vegas police homicide Capt. Chris Jones said.

But, "I can tell you that the likelihood is that this is our victim," Jones said.

He also said that the body belongs to a black girl.

Coroner Michael Murphy said he did not expect positive identification until Friday.

Jade was last seen by her family at about 5 p.m. Dec. 21 when Brenda Stokes picked her up for a shopping outing, police said. Police said Stokes was a trusted friend of the girl's father, and family members have told reporters that the two dated for several years.

Stokes, who also uses the name Brenda Wilson, was later arrested after she was accused of slashing a co-worker with razor blades at the Bellagio resort casino.

Stokes, 50, is now in jail and Jones said she has not cooperated in the investigation about the girl's whereabouts.

A passer-by called 911 about noon Thursday, and North Las Vegas police found a girl's body in unkempt brush near palm trees in a small traffic circle near Dorrell Lane and North 5th Street.

The location is a short distance from the northern 215 Beltway and about 10 miles from the downtown Las Vegas outlet mall off Interstate 15 where Stokes was to have taken the girl shopping.

Attempts by The Associated Press to reach family members on Thursday were unsuccessful.

Stokes picked up the girl about 5 p.m., and two hours later returned to another friend the red 2007 Saab sedan that she borrowed for the shopping trip, Jones said.

Later, Stokes got a ride with a friend to the Bellagio resort on the Las Vegas Strip, where she was arrested after allegedly attacking a female co-worker, Joyce Rhone, with a razor in each hand as Rhone dealt blackjack about 9:30 p.m.

Rhone, 44, was hospitalized with deep cuts on her face, including one from her ear to the edge of her mouth. A police arrest report said Rhone also had several smaller cuts around her right eye.

Records show that Stokes was being held Thursday on $60,000 bail at the Clark County jail on felony battery with a weapon, burglary and mayhem charges that could get her decades in prison.

She told a judge Wednesday that she had not obtained a lawyer. She was due again in Las Vegas Justice Court on Friday.

The arrest report says casino video shows Stokes attacking Rhone before a casino patron and security officers intervene. Officer Marcus Martin said the video is evidence that may be shown by prosecutors in court but will not be made public by police.

Police said Stokes later told investigators that she attacked Rhone over harassing phone calls and an unspecified betrayal that ended their seven-year friendship.

Stokes also told police she visited her doctor last week, seeking to be admitted to a hospital "due to feeling like she wanted to hurt someone."

She is reported to have told investigators she hadn't taken a prescription anti-anxiety drug on Friday, and that, "Sometimes people just snap."


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By William D'Urso (contact) , Jackie Valley (contact)
Published Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012 | 3:29 p.m.
Updated 4 hours, 4 minutes ago

A grim discovery Thursday in the northern stretches of the Las Vegas Valley has authorities trying to determine whether the case of a missing 10-year-old is now a homicide.

Authorities say a man walking his dog today in an unfinished housing development near North Fifth Street and Dorrell Lane in North Las Vegas wandered upon the body of a small, black female. They would not describe the injuries of the deceased.

Capt. Chris Jones of Metro’s homicide division would not confirm the body was that of 10-year-old Jade Morris, who has been missing for six days. Nor would Jones describe how the deceased died.

The Clark County Coroner’s Office will release the identity after an autopsy is performed on the body, but Jones indicated in all likelihood the youngster was dead.

Morris has been missing since 5 p.m. Friday when she left her house with 50-year-old Brenda Stokes, a former acquaintance of the girl’s father. Later Friday, Stokes was arrested for an attack on a co-worker at the Bellagio casino. Morris was not with Stokes when she was arrested for slashing the face of blackjack dealer Joyce Rhone, who survived the attack.

Media reports indicate the girl’s family members believe the girl’s father, Stokes and Rhone were involved in a love triangle that prompted Friday night’s attack.

Stokes was charged Wednesday with burglary, battery with a deadly weapon and mayhem with a deadly weapon. She remained in the Clark County Detention Center with bail set at $60,000.

At today’s news conference, Jones confirmed Stokes was not being cooperative with police regarding Morris’ disappearance.

Earlier Thursday, a group of volunteers from the Red Rock Search and Rescue/Recovery group began looking for Morris in a sparsely populated area south of the Everett Apartments in the far southwestern valley near West Windmill Road and South Rainbow Boulevard. The search was called off this afternoon shortly after Metro announced its discovery.

Morris’ grandfather was among the 75 or so volunteers and told reporters Stokes often would pick up Jade for visits.

“It really wasn’t uncommon for her to come by and take (Jade) somewhere,” Tucker said as he prepared to join in the search with the Red Rock volunteers. “We had no reason to think (Stokes) would hurt (Jade).”

Tucker and an aunt of Jade Morris attended the news conference Thursday afternoon but did not comment to the Sun.

Stokes told police after the Friday night attack that she periodically takes Xanax for anxiety, according to a police report. Stokes also told police she visited her doctor earlier in the week, feeling like she needed to be admitted to the hospital because she might hurt someone, the report said.

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LAS VEGAS -- The Clark County Coroners Office confirmed that the body found yesterday afternoon is of 10-year-old Jade Morris and said the girl was stabbed to death.

The community is coming together to remember her life as police work to hold her killer accountable.

A candlelight vigil was held at the Casa De Luz House of Light as the grief, pain and the tears were almost too much to take for those that loved Jade Morris.

Some knew the little girl and others she never met gathered to console and to comfort each other as Pastor Ryan Birrell lead the vigil.

"As we look around here tonight we see the children that are here and we hold them a little bit tighter, we kiss them a little bit more, and that's what we take," Birrell said.

Jade's best friend Tonya Evans is praying for the family tonight during the grieving period.

"You have no idea how hard this is for the family and for those of us who really knew her and loved her," Evans said. "I hoped that they would find her and that she would be ok and not hurt."

While the community mourns the child's death, the Clark County Coroner Mike Murphy said Jade was stabbed and killed.

"Of course our sympathies go to the family, in this very difficult time," Murphy said.

Murphy said through dental records and facial recognition they were able to positively identify the body, which was found in a grassy area of an abandoned housing complex.

Despite the tragedy, Jade's friends said with the help of the community they will get through this.

"I cannot imagine the pain that her mom is going through," Evans added. "It's nice to know that the people in the community are pulling together and doing something for Jade.

Investigators said Brenda Jean Stokes, who was the last person seen with Jade Morris, is not cooperating with the investigation.

Stokes has been in custody at the Clark County Detention Center since Metro Police said she attacked a coworker at the Bellagio last week.
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OMG, stabbed?

I have zero doubt that this Stokes woman is responsible for Jade's death.

Yup, she stabbed a ten year old little girl to death. Horrific.
I think that woman lost it behind the relationship w/ the girls Dad. The woman who's face she boxed knifed up the had had some relationship w/ the girls Dad too. It makes sense that she was so jealous she cut that females face and would have finished the job had she not been restrained, in fact she said so herself. I think she killed the 10 yr old out of spite, screw with me and I'll make sure and hurt you good. MOO.

Sad to say but I totally agree w/you. Especially because Jade was stabbed to death and Stokes had cut up that woman's face. She had a "thing" for blades and knives. Makes me sick!!

Originally published Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 3:25 PM

Las Vegas police suspect a casino worker killed young girl

A judge raised bail from $60,000 to $600,000 for a Las Vegas casino worker Friday after she was identified as the prime suspect in a child's killing.

By KEN RITTER
The Associated Press

LAS VEGAS — Police suspect a casino worker killed a 10-year-girl before going to a Las Vegas resort and allegedly slashing the face of a co-worker with razor blades.

The search for Jade Morris ended Friday afternoon when officials confirmed it was her body found a day earlier in an undeveloped housing tract.

The Clark County coroner's office said the girl died of multiple stab wounds.

Jade was last seen Dec. 21 with family friend Brenda Stokes Wilson, who picked her up to go Christmas shopping.

Wilson, 50, returned the car she had borrowed for the outing to a friend two hours later. Jade never came back. Investigators later found blood on the driver's door and steering wheel of the 2007 Saab sedan.

Later that night, Wilson was wrestled to the ground with razors in each hand after allegedly slashing the face of a female co-worker at the Bellagio casino.

A judge raised her bail from $60,000 to $600,000 Friday morning after she was identified as the prime suspect in the child's killing.

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"It's no secret the defendant is the suspect in the murder of 10-year-old Jade Morris," Prosecutor Robert Daskas told Senior Clark County District Court Judge Joseph Bonaventure at the hearing.

Later Friday, Las Vegas police homicide Capt. Chris Jones said investigators were moving forward.

"As soon as we get all the evidence in that we need, we'll book her on the murder charges," he said.

Wilson has been jailed since the 21st on felony battery with a weapon, burglary and mayhem charges that could get her decades in prison.

Police said she offered no help in the search for the missing girl. Murder and kidnapping charges could get her life in prison without parole or the death penalty.

On Thursday, Las Vegas police responding to a 911 call found a girl's body in unkempt brush near palm trees in a small traffic circle about 10 miles from the downtown Las Vegas outlet mall where Stokes was to have taken the girl shopping.

In court Friday morning, Wilson stood flanked by eight police officers as her lawyer, Tony Liker, clutching a Bible and a copy of the charging documents, asked the judge to postpone arraignment until Wednesday to give him time to meet with Wilson.

Wilson, who had been identified by police and prosecutors as Brenda Stokes, told the judge Friday that her full name was Brenda Stokes Wilson.

Jade's father, Philip Morris, was removed from court Wednesday by armed court officers after shouting questions about his daughter's whereabouts to Wilson. He did not attend Friday's hearing.

The two dated for several years, and Jade had a long and trusting relationship with Wilson, according to the girl's grandfather, Philip Tucker.

Tucker said Philip Morris lived in Billings, Mont., and worked at a Flying J truck stop for more than a year. He would stay with Wilson when he visited Las Vegas, Tucker said.

Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the slaying. But Tucker said Wilson appeared to believe the face-slashing victim had become romantically involved with Philip Morris.

Wilson picked up Jade for their shopping expedition around 5 p.m. Later, she got a ride with a friend to the Bellagio. She allegedly attacked her co-worker, Joyce Rhone, around 9:30 p.m.

Rhone, 44, was hospitalized with deep cuts on her face, including one from her ear to the edge of her mouth.

Wilson told investigators she visited her doctor last week, seeking to be admitted to a hospital "due to feeling like she wanted to hurt someone."

"Wilson told investigators she visited her doctor last week, seeking to be admitted to a hospital "due to feeling like she wanted to hurt someone."
Yet another who tried to get some mental help and was obviously turned down. I am not defending that murderous b**** but just the fact that she went to seek help just cries out that we need much more funding for mental health care in this country!
MOO.

True. She was on xanax and didn't take it for a few days IIRC?? That would not make me want to kill someone but we are all different.

There are so many raving lunatics running in the streets that desperately NEED help or to be put in a safe place where they cannot hurt themselves or more importantly, other's.

Seems more and more murders are being committed. It's very difficult to keep up with it all. And, it's so sad to read every single day about another child that has been murdered.

I think the number of mentally ill and the people smoking meth has a whole lot to do with the alarming #'s in the weird sex rapes and murders. MOO.

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can't embed above link. So sad!

Posted: Dec 31, 2012 11:33 AM CST
Updated: Dec 31, 2012 2:07 PM CST
By Caroline Bleakley, Online Managing Editor

LAS VEGAS -- Bloody clothing collected from Brenda Stokes apartment does match the DNA of 10-year-old Jade Morris, according to the arrest report for Stokes.

Stokes, also known as Brenda Wilson, is facing kidnapping and murder charges in the death of Jade Morris. The girl's body was discovered Thursday, Dec. 27 near N. Fifth Street and Deer Springs Way by a woman walking her dog in the area. The Clark County coroner has ruled the death a homicide and said the cause of death was multiple stab wounds.

Stokes picked up Jade Morris on Friday, Dec. 21 to take her Christmas shopping. Later that day Stokes was arrested after she was accused of slashing a co-worker with razor blades at the Bellagio casino.

According to the arrest report, Stokes was uncooperative with police when questioned her about Morris. Stokes told police she did not know the girl or the girl's mother, Tejuana Reeves-Morris.

Morris family members said Stokes was the girlfriend of Jade Morris' father for the past four years and considered to be a stepmother to Jade Morris.

Police also found blood evidence in the car that Stokes borrowed from a friend to take Jade Morris Christmas shopping.

Stokes is expected to be officially charged in the Jade Morris case this week.

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LAS VEGAS (KSNV MyNews3.com) -- Cameras snapped as family of Jade Morris hugged each other.

A viewing held Friday afternoon was the latest development in the highly publicized murder of the Las Vegas 10-year-old.

“She looks like she's sleeping,” said Tejuana Reeves, mother of Jade Morris. “She's beautiful right now.”

Our cameras were not allowed inside, but News 3 was told Jade’s casket was open.

Because she was stabbed so many times, News 3 was first told the casket would be closed.

Friday, we learned that was not necessary.

Family said Jade was dressed in her favorite red sweater, the same sweater she wore the last day she was seen alive before leaving with her father's now ex-fiancé Brenda Stokes Wilson.

Stokes Wilson is accused of stabbing Jade to death, leaving a mom without a daughter.

“She was a beautiful girl. She was smart and bright and she loved people. She loved animals,” said Reeves. “She was amazing you know, and I won't have that anymore. I can't you know sit up in the middle of the night and hear her reading or walk in the room, and it's bed time and see her falling asleep with her face in her book. I can't have any of that, and it hurts so bad.”

That hurt is felt by other family members including Jade's grandma and uncle.

“We worshipped her, my mother worshipped her,” said Paul Morris, Jade’s uncle.

But one of Jade's biggest fans, her best friend 10-year-old Kayla Evans, is beginning to feel a bit better.

“I'm happy because I got to see her, and she looks so pretty,” said best friend Kayla Evans.

Evans said she wanted to see Jade so she could send her to heaven with a bracelet she made.

“I see her wearing it right now,” said Evans with a smile.

Just like Evans was smiling, Evans said she sees Jade with a big smile, wearing her new bracelet, looking down at her family and trying to take away all the pain her death has caused.

Jade will be laid to rest Wednesday.

Her memorial service will be at the Bread of Life Ministries Church near Simmons, just South of Lake Mead Boulevard at 1:00 p.m.

Stokes Wilson is set to make her next court appearance March 28.
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BY TOM RAGAN
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Posted: Jan. 4, 2013 | 8:44 p.m.

The father took one look at his slain daughter in the casket, then started crying uncontrollably before staggering out of the funeral parlor and into the bright light outside, where he started heaving heavily - stopping just short of throwing up in a nearby bush.

It was the first and only public viewing of Jade Morris on Friday at Palm South Jones Mortuary .

At the visitation, hundreds of family members and friends said their goodbyes to the 10-year-old girl, who police say was fatally stabbed four days before Christmas. Brenda Jean Stokes, 50, a Clarksdale, Miss., native, now stands accused of murder in Jade's death.

"Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Chanel ... she didn't want any of those things. She wasn't into brand names like us," said Philip Morris, 35, the father, dressed in a ball cap and high-top sneakers, searching for the words to describe his only child.

"But if she ever wanted them," he added, "we would have given them to her. We loved her. She was our angel."

Jade was "a girlie girl," family members said. She was the type of girl who loved to dress other girls up in computer models and who, when ever offered a piece of candy, would say, "No, that's not good for me."

She loved the color red. Her favorite song was Larry Graham's "One in a Million."

And she was fascinated with butterflies, which was probably why, dressed in a red sweater in the casket, she had decorations of butterflies all around her.

Some family members believe Stokes, a blackjack dealer at the Bellagio, killed Jade in a jealous rage over the girl's father, who they say Stokes suspected was having an affair. They point to a Bellagio blackjack dealer, Joyce Rhone, 44.

After Jade was slain in the early evening hours of Dec. 21, Stokes paid Rhone a visit a few hours later at the Bellagio, where police say she slashed her face with a pair of razor blades - another crime for which Stokes has been charged.

"Put this woman away forever," said Jade's mother, Tejuana Reeves, 41, as she stood outside the funeral parlor. "My baby should not be in a box."

Reeves said she pretty much raised Jade on her own, with occasional help from the father and a great deal of help from both sets of grandparents. She said the only reason she let Stokes into her daughter's life is because Stokes was going to be the "stepmom" because she was engaged to Jade's father.

But she said she never had a clue that Stokes was capable of harming her girl - and that if she ever had any inkling Stokes was a violent woman, she never would have let her near Jade.

As for any sort of relationship existing between the father and Rhone, the father denied it outside the funeral parlor.

"That was her friend. She's got her own set of friends, and I have mine," said Morris, who previously worked at the Flying J truck stop in Hardin, Mont., a small town outside of Billings where he was in charge of the cash register and gasoline pumps. He said Thursday that he is unemployed.

This is not the first time that Jade's father has suffered heartbreak and loss.

He and Tejuana had a baby boy, Jason, who died at birth. He was cremated, and the same funeral parlor held the services.

Asked when his baby boy died, Morris said he couldn't recall the exact date.

"It was around the 2006 NBA All-Star Game," Morris said.

Brenda Morris, Jade's grandmother, was visibly upset at the idea that Stokes might plead insanity.

"I want her to pay," said Brenda Morris, 58. "I don't want any of this 'I was crazy' stuff.' "

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Bread of Life, 2721 Coran Lane in Las Vegas.

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"Gather" is stating Jade was stabbed up to 40 times.
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video here:
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By Joyce Lupiani
CREATED JAN. 4, 2013

Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- The mother of Jade Morris says there will not be a public viewing of her 10-year-old daughter's body.

The viewing that was scheduled for Friday has been canceled. Instead, there will be a visitation and there will be a slideshow of pictures and video's from Jade's short life.

According to Te'Juana Reeves, during a trip to the coroner's office to retrieve her daughter's belongings, she learned that her daughter had been brutally disfigured during her slaying.

Reeves says that the body of Jade Morris is covered in puncture wounds, having been stabbed repeatedly.

Brenda Stokes Wilson is currently being held at the Clark County Detention Center in connection with the slaying.

Stokes Wilson was the engaged to Jade Morris' father. She had picked the little girl to go Christmas shopping.

Later the same day, she was arrested after slashing a co-worker's face at the Bellagio.

Stokes Wilson is currently being held without bail. She is scheduled to return to court on March 28.

The visitation is being held from 3 to 7 p.m. today at Palm Mortuary on Jones and Oakey Boulevards.

Funeral services are being held at 1 p.m. Jan. 9 at Bread of Life Ministries, 2721 Coran Lane, near Lake Mead Boulevard and Simmons Street. The funeral is open to the public.

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video above link.

Published On: Jan 04 2013 11:21:09 AM EST Updated On: Jan 05 2013 11:21:16 AM EST

A second jailhouse informant testified in the murder trail of 66-year-old Geralyn Graham, who is accused of killing missing Florida foster child Rilya Wilson.

Maggie Carr, a convicted murderer, testified Friday that she was trained to be a law clerk in prison and assist inmates. She said she spoke with Graham at the Homestead Correctional Facility in 2005.

Carr testified that Graham asked her several questions about being convicted of murder if no body is found. In previous testimony, Robin Lunceford, another jailhouse informant, claimed Graham confessed to smothering Rilya with a pillow and burying her body near water. Rilya's body was never found.

"She said, 'Well, there's no body.' She wasn't concerned because if there's no body, there's no murder," said Carr, who also served as a law clerk to Lunceford.

"'It's gone.' And I was like, 'What do you mean it's gone?' And she was like, 'Well, you know, it's gone. It's to the elements.' And I was like, 'What do you mean the elements?' And she was like, 'You know, the elements, water,'" continued Carr. "And I was like, 'Water? What do you mean water?' And she was like, 'You know, elements, waste away, critters.'"

Carr said she tried convincing Graham to confess.

"She said whoever was out there was beholden to her. She wasn't concerned," said Carr.

Corrections officer Shandra Christian also testified Friday, saying she was at the jail when Lunceford claimed Graham confessed to her while the two shared a jail cell.

Defense attorneys spent several days attempting to poke holes in Lunceford's story, portraying her as a snitch who only testified to have her prison sentence reduced. Lunceford said she was abused by fellow inmates and corrections officers after making her claim.

A payroll employee at Pamela Graham's former employer also testified Friday, verifying which days the former domestic partner of Geralyn Graham worked in Dec. 2000 when Wilson was last seen.

Graham faces life in prison if convicted of murder, kidnapping and child abuse charges. Graham claims Rilya was taken from her home for mental tests by a state worker in 2001 and never returned. Investigators say no evidence backs up Graham's story.

The trial is expected to last several more weeks. Carr will be back on the stand Monday when the trial resumes.

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MUST SEE video above link.

8:50 PM, Jan 4, 2013
Written by
Brandie Piper

LAS VEGAS (KLAS/CNN) - A Las Vegas family is preparing to say their final goodbyes to a 10-year-old girl.

A former girlfriend of the child's father is charged with her murder. She was reportedly stabbed more than 40 times.

The pictures and the memories of little Jade Morris are all her family has left since her life ended so suddenly.

While the question of why still haunts them, the brutal details surrounding her death are almost too much to comprehend.

"She stabbed her over 40 times. Forty times. It's ridiculous," said Te'juana Reeves-Morris, her mother.

Te'Juana says her bright, smiling daughter's face can't be shown at a public viewing because of the severe injuries that claimed her life. She says instead, they will show pictures of her in happier times.

"I know everybody was looking forward to viewing her and saying goodbye, but that can't happen. There will be a slideshow and show pictures of when she was happy," she said.

A victims advocate group called Safe Faith United has decided to help the family by auctioning off a coat that was given to them by a private donor. They want to raise $5,000 to cover expenses.

"It means the world to me, I mean every that everybody's done for me. The community has been amazing, I can't believe how much support I've gotten," said Te'juana.

Jade's mom and her dad, Phil Morris, say every day has been a struggle since their daughter's murder. They say with the strength from their faith and from their family, it's a tragedy they'll overcome.

"We say it's not right, it's not fair, but unfortunately, it's a part of life, and life must go on," said Phil.

"Everybody should be able to walk away with a smile knowing that she was a happy child," said Te'juana.

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video above link.

Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- Grief counselors were available on Monday to help classmates cope with the tragic death of Jade Morris.

Morris was murdered in late December.

Classes resumed at Wasden Elementary School on Monday.

Those grief counselors are available to talk with students or listen to them if needed.

The school also sent a letter home with parents making them aware of resources available to students needing help coping with the loss of a classmate.
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By Joyce Lupiani
CREATED 11:34 AM

Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- The song, "If I ain't got you" by artist Alicia Keys was Jade Morris' favorite tune. At the 10-year olds's funeral on Wednesday, Morris' voice teacher Ane Marshall sang that song in her memory.

"She was so amazing she was such a little singer," Marshall said.

For 10-years old, Morris had many passions, but her love of song came first and she wanted to be a jazz singer.

"She had the oldest voice," Marshall said.

With Morris' big voice came big personality. Hundreds of family and friends packed the Bread of Life Ministries on Lake Mead and Simmons Road where people joined hands and with heavy hearts celebrated her life.

"You come in with a heavy heart," grandfather Philip Tucker said. "Every song, every prayer takes a little pebble off each time."

Since Morris' murder, the last few weeks have been hard on her family, but little sadness filled the church - instead people focused on memories of Morris. She was a 5th grade student who loved to swim and her favorite animal was a butterfly.

"Such compassion, respect for human life, such respect for everyone," Morris' uncle, Paul Morris, said.

Her family said she was murdered because she was trustworthy and innocent. Now the family will focus on getting justice for her death.

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very sad video at above link.

What ever happened to society ? It's seems to be the norm now for women to kill baby's ! What happened to the proud ones who realize they are getting cheated on therefore take what belongs to them and move on thinking they can do better and it's your loss sucker ?
I hope she will get everything she deserves I don't won't to read about any of this insanity BS ! She went and hurt that lady cutting her face and then she killed this baby out of spite to hurt the dad. A life cut short because she was not this mans number one . There truly are animals among us.
RIP

These women are nutjob's and/or on drugs. You said it all, Riley's Mom!

The 50-year-old blackjack dealer accused of killing her fiance's 10-year-old daughter has been indicted by a grand jury.

And prosecutors said they soon will decide whether they will seek the death penalty for Brenda Stokes if she is convicted.

Stokes brutally killed Jade Morris and slashed a blackjack dealer at the Bellagio, prosecutor Robert Daskas said Friday.

"The evidence of her guilt is simply overwhelming," the veteran prosecutor said.

The child's body was found two days after Christmas in an undeveloped residential subdivision in North Las Vegas.

She was stabbed 40 times.

Some of the wounds occurred after Jade was already dead, including stab wounds that penetrated her skull, Daskas said.

And prosecutors revealed disturbing new details in the case.

"There was a butcher knife, literally a kitchen butcher knife, still stuck in Jade's body," Daskas said. "It had been thrust into the back of her neck with such force that the blade of the knife protruded from the front of her neck."

Also, prosecutors believe Jade was drugged with a generic form of Xanax before she was killed, a toxicology report showed.

Though she was drugged, Jade, who stood 4 feet tall, had defensive wounds on her right arm, Daskas said. A prescription for the drug was found at Stokes' apartment.

The evidence presented to the grand jury included that Jade's blood was found on the steering wheel and door handle of the car Stokes was driving when the child disappeared earlier in December. The child's blood also was found on Stokes' clothing.

The motive for the attack is still unclear, though family members have speculated it was possibly retaliation against Stokes' fiance over a suspected affair.

The indictment charges Stokes with murder with a deadly weapon, kidnapping, attempted murder, battery, mayhem and burglary.

After Friday's hearing, Daskas said the district attorney's death penalty committee will review the case and determine whether prosecutors will seek capital punishment against Stokes.

The committee, whose meetings are not open to the public, looks at three factors when considering capital punishment: whether there are aggravating factors in the case, whether a jury would impose the death penalty as punishment and whether a conviction would stand up under appeal.

Jade was last seen on Dec. 21, when Stokes picked her up unannounced from her mother's home, saying they were going Christmas shopping.

Stokes was engaged to Jade's father, and had a close relationship with the girl over the past three years.

But a few hours later, authorities say, Stokes approached a Bellagio blackjack table and began slashing the face of a dealer, 44-year-old Joyce Rhone.

Rhone survived the attack, and Stokes was arrested, but Jade was nowhere to be found. The girl's body was found Dec. 27 by a person walking a dog.

Meanwhile, Stokes' defense lawyer Tony Liker has created a Web page - [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] - asking for money to help pay her legal fees.

The headline on the web page is "Brenda Stokes is Wrongly Accused!" Liker did not return a message requesting comment.

At a bail hearing in February, Liker, who previously represented the Stokes family in a car accident case, said there are other suspects in the case, including Jade's father.

He said Jade's father, Philip Morris, has a lengthy criminal history, including arrests for domestic violence.

However, court records indicate Morris has one felony conviction of attempted grand larceny dating to 2002, after which he successfully completed a court-sponsored drug treatment program.

Stokes has a violent history.

Nearly two decades ago in the small Mississippi town of Moss Point, Stokes was indicted on aggravated assault charges by a Mississippi county grand jury. She was accused of attacking a former lover with a razor blade.

The charges against Stokes were dismissed after the victim refused to testify against the mother of his children.

In 2001, Stokes was charged with misdemeanor battery after she hit her supervisor at America West airlines in the head with a hot coffee pot at McCarran International Airport, Clark County court records show.

That case was dismissed after she successfully completed counseling.
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| March 6, 2013 | Updated: March 6, 2013 11:54am

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A 50-year-old former blackjack dealer has pleaded not guilty to kidnapping, murder and other charges in the death of her ex-boyfriend's daughter, and the slashing attack of a co-worker at a Las Vegas Strip casino.

Brenda Stokes Wilson entered the plea Wednesday before Clark County District Court Judge Kathleen Delaney.

Trial was set for July 15.

Stokes Wilson is accused of killing 10-year-old Jade Morris during a Christmas shopping outing in December, and of attacking a 44-year-old Joyce Rhone with razors at the Bellagio casino later that night.

Stokes Wilson was a friend of the girl's father. Police and family members say they think the attacks were sparked by jealousy.

After the plea, the girl's father, Philip Morris, said, "I don't know why she doesn't just plead guilty."

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Attorney withdraws for woman accused of killing 10-year-old girl
By Joyce Lupiani
CREATED 10:59 AM

Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- The attorney for the woman accused of killing 10-year-old Jade Morris and slashing a co-worker's face has withdrawn counsel.

Attorney Tony Liker filed the motion to withdrawn because the family of Brenda Stokes is unable to pay him.

Stokes is accused of stabbing 10-year-old Jade Morris repeatedly after picking her up to go on a shopping trip.

Morris was the daughter of Stoke's boyfriend at the time.

She is also accused of a razor blade attack on her co-worker at the Bellagio on the same day that she is suspected of killing Morris.

Liker asked for the public's help in paying for Stokes defense on his website in January. He also insisted on his website that Stokes was being wrongly accused and rushed to judgment.

She will most likely be assigned a public defender. Her next court date is July 8.

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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- Her 10-year old daughter was killed at the end of last year, and now the mother of Jade Morris is dealing with the sudden loss of her son.

Tejuana Reeves was shocked by the death of her son, 21-year-old Jordan Myers, less than six months after jade was murdered.

Reeves said she was told Myers died shortly after an asthma attack while helping a friend remove carpet from their home. But Reeves believes it was the asthma, compounded with depression and a broken heart stemming from the brutal death of his little sister that killed Myers.

"That was his baby. He loved her," said Reeves. "I don't think he fought back as hard as he could have, and he let go."

Tejuana Reeves now has one living daughter, 17-year old Jasmine.

Friends of Reeves are having a car wash Sunday near the Burger King on Rainbow and Spring Mountain from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. to help pay for Jordan’s funeral expenses.

If you'd like to contribute, you can go into any US bank and donate to the Jade Morris Account.

The suspect in the murder of Jade Morris, Brenda Stokes, is due back in court in July for her trial.
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Video at link

OMG!!!!! That poor Mother!

I feel so sorry for her!!!

BY MARGARET BAKER AND TAMMY LEYTHAM
Sun Herald March 25, 2014 Updated 6 hours ago

The Las Vegas murder trial of Brenda Stokes Wilson of Moss Point has been postponed to 2015, according to Clark County, Nev., court records.

Wilson is accused of kidnapping and murder in the 2012 death of her ex-boyfriend's daughter, 10-year-old Jade Morris.

Authorities say Wilson picked up Morris to go Christmas shopping, but instead took her to a vacant lot and stabbed her to death, according to The Associated Press. They believe the motive was to hurt her ex-boyfriend, Phillip Morris.

Wilson's lawyer described her as a single mother of three who had a steady job as a blackjack dealer and had no criminal record.

The trial, originally scheduled to start in June, has been rescheduled to April 20, 2015, court records show.

Wilson has been in jail since Dec. 21, 2012, the day that Morris went missing and Wilson was arrested for the assault with a razor of a female co-worker at the Bellagio casino.

Police believe Wilson was jealous because she thought the child's father had begun dating the victim of the razor slashing, identified as Joyce Rhone.

A Clark County prosecutor has said that DNA tests revealed the child's blood on Wilson's clothing she wore the day of the killing and on a door handle and steering wheel of the car she was driving.

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