Guilty verdict in murder case of 18-year-old in 2023

RENO, Nevada (KOLO) – Todd Tonnochy was found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of 18-year-old Hailey Nieto.

The jury acquitted 40-year-old Tonnochy on Wednesday evening of the charge of premeditated murder of Nieto.

Tonnochy tried to argue that the death was an accident after Nieto threw a gun at him and it somehow went off.

Nieto was a mother of two children. Her body was found near Cold Springs in March 2023.

Tonnochy pleaded guilty to being a former felon in possession of a firearm and being a habitual criminal.

The trial in Washoe County Court began on August 19.

The jury also found Tonnochy guilty of witness intimidation, preventing a person from testifying to authorities and tampering with evidence.

Judge Scott Freeman is scheduled to sentence him on December 2.

Assistant District Attorney Luke Prengaman told the jury Wednesday that Tonnochy shot Nieto and did not seek medical attention for her. He called friends who helped him dismember and dispose of the body, then left town.

Defense attorney Gianna Verness said Tonnochy did not know the gun was loaded. Nieto was playing with it and threw it at Tonnochy when the gun went off. Tonnochy received bad advice from friends and acted in shock, the attorney said.

The jury deliberated for less than two hours before reaching a verdict.

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