87°F
weather icon Clear

Board OKs psychologist’s return to practice; agreement cites drug abuse problems, omits murder charge

A psychologist accused of killing his wife and staging her death as a suicide can start practicing medicine again in less than four months, the Nevada Board of Psychological Examiners decided Friday, July 15.

Suspected of abusing drugs and obtaining prescription drugs from patients, Gregory “Brent” Dennis, who prosecutors say poisoned attorney Susan Winters inside their Henderson home, also must undergo up to seven years of drug treatment, the seven-member panel ruled as they signed a settlement agreement that made no mention of the murder charge.

“It’s clear that the board members do not know what Brent Dennis was arrested for,” Keith Williams, a lawyer for the Winters family, told a Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter after the meeting. “We’re confident that they did not know what they were voting on today.”

Henderson police arrested Dennis on the murder charge in February.

Without mentioning that Winters’ January 2015 death had been ruled a suicide for more than a year before Dennis’ arrest or delving into the extent of his drug habit, the agreement cited February media reports that stated Dennis “has a substance abuse problem and has been purchasing and/or obtaining controlled substances from a known drug dealer as well as his patients.”

The Review-Journal reported a series of stories that detailed allegations of the lengths to which authorities believe he went to poison Winters and cover up the slaying.

Under the agreement, Dennis did not admit to the allegations of drug abuse but acknowledged that the board could find evidence that the allegations are true.

“The only thing you’re looking at is the alleged facts here, and the alleged facts here are being resolved by this agreement,” said the board’s attorney, Deputy Attorney General Sarah Bradley. “If something happens with a different matter, then there may be a new complaint filed, and it would be just a new matter.”

No one on the board discussed the murder charge during the more than 30 minutes in which they reviewed the agreement. Dennis, who ran a Boulder City mental health clinic before his license was suspended in February, faces a preliminary hearing on the murder charge next month.

Henderson police alleged that Dennis lied to police about his wife’s death and had a financial motive to kill her.

Dennis stood to inherit roughly $2 million, including a $1 million life insurance policy, upon his wife’s death and was dealing with a cocaine addiction that was draining his finances, according to an arrest report.

Since his arrest, Dennis has undergone extensive drug counseling, according to his attorney Richard Schonfeld.

Dennis passed four random drug tests, attended more than 30 classes related to chemical dependency, along with 95 narcotics anonymous classes. He also entered an aftercare program and, in anticipation of the agreement being signed, made an appointment for a forensic evaluation that was held Tuesday, July 18, according to his lawyer.

“We believe that Dr. Dennis has demonstrated that he will use all effort possible to alleviate that concern and continue to engage in his therapy,” Schonfeld said.

Family members of Winters who attended the board meeting Friday said they were “sorely upset” at the outcome.

“That board is a farce,” her mother, Avis Winters, said.

Williams, the family attorney, added: “It seems like Brent is getting every break. We’re all extremely frustrated by it.”

Contact David Ferrara at dferrara@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039. Follow @randompoker on Twitter.

MOST READ
LISTEN TO THE TOP FIVE HERE
THE LATEST
Suit filed over camping ban

Back in late May of this year, when the city council met and the proposed ordinance outlawing camping in public places in Boulder City was on the agenda, a small group of citizens showed up to decry the move in public comment.

Officials raise concerns about GJH

Nearly four years ago, the Clark County School District proposed a plan to create a K-8 campus in Boulder City to replace Mitchell and King elementary schools as well as Garrett Junior High, resulting in the closure of all three schools.

Boulder City hires new fire chief

Following a nationwide search, Kenneth Morgan has been hired as the new fire chief for Boulder City. He starts work on Aug. 4.

What a difference six inches makes?

Within the past two months, the Boulder City Planning Commission denied a request by Toll Brothers, the anticipated developers of the area adjacent to Boulder Creek Golf Course known as Tract 350, to build homes that are closer to the street than the city’s current legal requirement of 20 feet.

Hittin’ the town

Photos by Ron Eland/Boulder City Review

City reallocates $750,000 for fiscal year 2025

More than a year ago, in a Boulder City Council discussion about budgeting, Mayor Joe Hardy, in two sentences, summed up the most basic truth about city budgets.

Update on city utility projects

Sometimes the good information comes from unexpected places.

Third extension for portico funding

About once a month, before the start of the city council meeting, the members of the council meet wearing their hats as the Redevelopment Agency (RDA) and dole out money to reimburse businesses and homeowners in the historic district for qualifying work done to their properties.

Public weighs in on purchase

With last week’s announcement in the Boulder City Review that three longtime residents/businessmen purchased the former Central Market building and their plans to bring in a small grocery chain, there’s been plenty of input from the public.

Trio looks to bring new grocery store to town

If one were to ask 25 Boulder City residents what the town is missing, you’d probably get a few different answers like affordable housing or a movie theater. But the overwhelming answer would likely be the same – a second grocery store.