LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — It's been more than a week since Las Vegas Metropolitan Police investigators said attorney Joe Houston shot and killed his former daughter-in-law, Ashley Prince, and her new husband, attorney Dennis Prince, on the fifth floor of the City National Bank Building in Summerlin.
Police said the shooting happened during a deposition in a child custody case involving Ashley's two young children with her ex-husband Dylan Houston, who is Joe's son.
In an emergency motion filed hours after the shooting, Family Court Judge Bill Henderson granted custody of Dylan and Ashley's two children to Ashley's sister, Lexi Page represented by attorney John Jones.
On Wednesday, both families were back in court to discuss child custody proceedings, which was emotional and tense.
There were several moments of intense back and forth between attorneys and the judge.
The hearing took nearly three hours.
Members of the Page family and the Houston family were seen tearing throughout the proceeding.
Judge Henderson expressed sorrow, remorse, and regret for granting continuances that permitted delays in the case, which he said he questioned at the time and hesitated to approve.
"This court had a significant emotional release," said Judge Henderson.
Henderson also said the case went from horrific to grotesque and he wept in private.
The main arguments during Wednesday's custody hearing centered on safety and security.
Attorneys for the Prince family said they fear for their lives and those of their clients, telling the judge they had even hired a private security for their law firm. They accused Dylan of sending threatening messages, hoping to persuade the judge to impose tighter restrictions on Houston.
"My clients do feel for their safety right now, and I think there is a legitimate concern that Metro does have an ongoing investigation into Dylan, as to whether or not he had any knowledge or involvement," attorney Dana Dwiggins, representing Ashley's father Paul Page said.
Jones said their team also obtained a video showing Houston "smashing things with a baseball bat."
It was also made known in court Houston took a leave of absence at his law firm.
Attorney Gerry Hardcastle, who is representing Houston, said his client should not be forgotten amid the tragic circumstances.
"Our concern is we have a father; it's a sad situation, we all know that, who was a victim, too," Hardcastle told the court.
Houston appeared stoic and emotionless in court and spoke to a judge for the first time since his ex-wife's passing.
A special master named Jack Howard, who was assigned to help with the case in January, was asked by Judge Henderson for his immediate recommendations. He recommended the two children continue in their private day school, Houston continue alcohol monitoring, and all weapons belonging to all parties in the case be surrendered and secured.
Henderson urged and warned both parties to work together for the benefit of the children.
"I'm going to demand and require that despite the hardness of this case, the two of you start working together, start resolving things, instead of hijacking things with these arguments because the fact is when you guys are focusing on what needs to be done, you're doing really well," Henderson said. "Despite the tenor of this hearing, we've got some really impressive stipulations that I applaud the attorneys on. So let's continue with that."
Ultimately, Henderson granted visitation to Dylan, allowing him to have his children three days of the week with certain conditions. For example, his sister must supervise his visits and he cannot consume alcohol during the visitation.
Despite the drama and intensity inside the courtroom, Judge Henderson steered the children's interest to the forefront.
"This was a double murder and a suicide," said Judge Henderson. "And two extremely vulnerable children, I am trying to protect against any future harm."
The beginning of Wednesday's proceeding started with a discussion about whether to allow media access to court documents in the case and if camera could be allowed in the courtroom.
There were no objections.
An attorney from the Las Vegas Review-Journal said granting media in this case is a presumption under law citing both the first amendment and a Nevada Supreme Court case. However, Judge Henderson said he would make a ruling about the access to court documents later this week.
Future hearing dates in this case have been set for July 29, 30 and 31.
