Trial underway for man accused of killing 18-year-old Reno woman | Local news

Update 18:37

On Monday, attorneys made their opening statements in the trial of 40-year-old Todd Tonnochy, who is accused of killing 18-year-old Hailey Nieto.

Tonnochy is accused of shooting Nieto in a downtown Reno motel in March 2023 and then, with the help of accomplices, partially dismembering her body and hiding her remains in a garbage pile in Cold Springs.

His defense argues that the shooting was a mistake and everything that followed was the result of Tonnochy's panic.

“There is no scenario, no version, no testimony that Mr. Tonnochy, knowing the gun was loaded, pointed it at Hailey Nieto and pulled the trigger with the intent to kill her,” Tonnochy's attorney said in his opening statement Monday.

The defense and the state acknowledged that the shooting was not captured on video, and witnesses gave several different versions of what happened. Both sides said Tonnochy and witnesses claimed the gun jammed and Tonnochy was trying to fix it when he accidentally shot Nieto. Other witnesses reportedly said Tonnochy and Nieto were fiddling with the gun's laser sight when it went off. Another witness version of the story claims Nieto threw the gun to Tonnochy when it went off.

The state stressed that, regardless of the history, Tonnochy did not directly request help for Nieto.

“Within 30 to 40 seconds of Hailey being shot, the defendant comes out of the room. The evidence will show that he does not call 911. He does not call anyone. He does not seek help for Hailey,” prosecutors said.

The state will begin calling its first witnesses when the jury reconvenes tomorrow morning.

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Update 19.08.2024, 14:18

Jury selection is underway for the trial of a man accused of shooting an 18-year-old woman at a downtown Reno motel.

40-year-old Todd Tonnochy is accused of murder in connection with the death of Hailey Nieto.

The public prosecutor also charged him with threatening witnesses.

In a court filing, lawyers accuse Tonnochy of working with several accomplices to threaten and intimidate people who spoke to police about the alleged murder.

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25 SEPTEMBER 2023

The man accused of killing an 18-year-old north of Reno has pleaded not guilty.

The Washoe County District Attorney's Office announced that Todd Tonnochy has pleaded not guilty to all charges and his trial will now begin in August 2024.

He is accused of killing Hailey Nieto and leaving her body near a road in Cold Springs in March.

19 SEPTEMBER 2023

The man accused of killing an 18-year-old near Cold Springs faces new charges, including for his alleged conduct after his arrest.

According to the Reno Justice Court, Todd Tonnochy is now charged with attempted bribery and intimidation of a witness.

The Washoe County District Attorney's Office told us that in addition to his conduct, the charges were based on evidence from previous convictions.

Tonnochy is accused of killing Hailey Nieto in March.

He is now scheduled to appear in court again next Monday, September 25th.

Update from July 17:

On Monday, a judge denied Tonnochy's request for new representation.

His preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 15.

Update from June 24th:

The man accused of killing an 18-year-old mother earlier this year is expected in court on Monday.

Todd Tonnochy is accused of killing Hailey Nieto and leaving her body near a road in Cold Springs in March.

According to court documents, Tonnochy has already appeared in court on March 19 and June 5.

Tonnochy's next court date will be a status hearing.

Tonnochy remains in the Washoe County Jail, where he is being held without bail.

Update from May 18:

The man accused of killing 18-year-old Hailey Nieto is now back in Washoe County after being extradited from Texas.

Todd Tonnochy, 39, was booked into the Washoe County Jail on Thursday. He is charged with murder and embezzlement/destruction of evidence.

Tonnochy was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Midland, Texas, on March 28.

There is currently no court date scheduled for Tonnochy.

Nieto's body was found in the dirt extension of North Virginia Street in March and her death was ruled a homicide.

MARCH 31, 2023:

Authorities say a man is currently behind bars on suspicion of killing 18-year-old Hailey Nieto and leaving her body near a road in Cold Springs last week.

On March 28, 2023, the U.S. Marshals Service arrested 39-year-old Todd Tonnochy as part of an investigation led by the Washoe County Sheriff's Office.

On March 28, 2023, the U.S. Marshals, with the assistance of the Midland County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Department and SWAT team, were able to locate and take Tonnochy into custody at a motel in Midland, Texas.

Washoe County Sheriff's Office detectives say there are no outstanding suspects in this case and would like to thank citizens who have come forward with tips and information.

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A wake was held Wednesday for the woman whose body was found north of Reno last week.

The family sent us photos of Hailey Nieto's funeral at Mountain View Mortuary.

Among those present at the 18-year-old's wake were her brother and her parents.

As we reported, her body was found last week on the dirt road of North Virginia Street with a gunshot wound and is under investigation as a homicide.

In a statement, her family said:

“Hailey was a daughter, mother, granddaughter, great-granddaughter, cousin, niece and aunt. She loved her two little girls and loved taking them to the park to see the ducks and play on the swings. She was born and raised in Reno. She was studying to be a mortician and wanted to work at Mountain View Mortuary one day. It's very sad that she ended up there by other means. She loved art, makeup, fashion, loved music, camping, Hawaii and Lake Tahoe in the summer. She was so compassionate that she would occasionally go to cemeteries and read people's stories and show her respects. She leaves behind a two-year-old and a nine-month-old, Luna & Mila.”

Authorities are looking for anyone who may have been in the area between 5:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 23, 2023.

If you have any information that can help authorities, call Secret Witness at 775-322-4900 or text them with your anonymous tip. A $5,000 reward is being offered.

The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with expenses. Click below –