Las Vegas Livestream Murder Suspect Pleads Not Guilty, Death Penalty Sought

Two separate high-profile homicide cases are moving forward in U.S. courts with both suspects pleading not guilty. In Montana, Scott Paul Peratis faces charges of deliberate homicide and assault with a weapon after fatally shooting David Earl Connors, his wife’s cousin, following a domestic altercation; Peratis was released on bond with strict weapon possession restrictions and court dates scheduled through October. Meanwhile, in Las Vegas, Manuel "Manny" Ruiz pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder with a deadly weapon for the livestreamed shooting deaths of YouTubers Rodney and Tanisha Finley, which stemmed from a social media feud. Prosecutors in Nevada are seeking the death penalty against Ruiz, who claims self-defense despite no weapons being found on the victims and video evidence contradicting his claim. Ruiz’s trial is set for August 2026, highlighting the lengthy process typical of murder cases in Clark County, which often end in plea deals. Both cases underscore ongoing legal battles involving deadly violence linked to personal disputes, with courts balancing public safety and defendants' rights during pretrial proceedings.