The legal community in Las Vegas and beyond was shaken by the tragic events that unfolded at a Summerlin law office on a Monday morning. Joseph Houston II, a veteran lawyer in Las Vegas, took the lives of Ashley Prince, his former daughter-in-law, and her husband, attorney Dennis Prince, during a deposition before ending his own life. This shocking incident has left friends and colleagues grappling to understand the motivations behind the actions of a man they knew as a proud and “extremely smart” lawyer.
John Mowbray, a respected Las Vegas lawyer and former president of the State Bar of Nevada, who had known Joseph Houston since his early days as a law clerk in 1976, expressed his disbelief. “Of all the lawyers in town, I would not have expected Joe to do this,” Mowbray stated, highlighting the profound shock within the legal fraternity.
However, beneath the surface of the esteemed Joseph Houston lawyer persona, some acquaintances recognized a more volatile aspect, particularly evident in his courtroom conduct. Louis Schneider, a friend of Houston for two decades, recounted their intense legal battles in divorce cases, describing them as fighting “like caged animals” in front of judges. Another instance involved Houston physically pushing the son of former Nevada Governor Mike O’Callaghan into a chair during a court proceeding.
Despite these glimpses of a fiery temperament, friends predominantly remember Joseph Houston as a devoted family man – a loving husband, father, and grandfather. They now wrestle with the agonizing question: what drove this respected Joseph Houston lawyer to such extreme violence?
Was it an overprotective instinct for his son, who was embroiled in a contentious custody dispute with Ashley Prince, potentially facing the loss of his children? Were the intense emotions of representing his own son in a battle over his grandchildren overwhelming? Or was it the crushing weight of a recent cancer relapse, a devastating blow in his long fight against the disease?
Some of his closest confidantes believe it was a confluence of these agonizing pressures that led to the tragic outburst. “He should not have shot anyone,” lamented Al Marquis, a retired lawyer and longtime friend of Joseph Houston. “But these all together explain why he would snap. People want an explanation and to at least understand what led up to it, because it doesn’t make sense unless you understand why someone would snap like this.”
The Life of Joseph Houston: From Family Man to Aggressive Litigator
Born in Las Vegas in 1947, Joseph Houston, at 77 years old, had deep roots in the community. His early life showcased athletic prowess, notably in youth baseball. He was offered a $50,000 contract with the San Diego Padres, then a minor league team, but his father, emphasizing education, encouraged him to decline in favor of a nomination to the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Although Joseph Houston did not graduate from the Air Force Academy, he pursued higher education, earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of San Diego and a law degree from California Western School of Law in San Diego. He married Katherine Zorn in October 1981, and together they built a large family with six children.
Louis Schneider fondly recalled Joseph Houston’s dedication to his family. “He was the proudest father I’ve ever seen,” Schneider shared. “His happiest moments were staying at home with the kids. I just enjoyed Joe’s company. He was just a helluva guy.” Houston’s generosity extended beyond his immediate family. When his sister faced hardship, he welcomed her children into his home, providing for their needs and education as if they were his own. Schneider recounted a recent Disneyland trip where Joseph Houston treated his entire extended family of twelve, highlighting his commitment to family bonds. Simple acts of kindness, like consistently filling his wife’s car with gas, further illustrated his caring nature.
Beyond family, Joseph Houston enjoyed golf as a member of the Spanish Trail golf club and found relaxation in camping and fishing trips to Panguitch Lake in Utah, often accompanied by a glass of bourbon.
Professionally, Joseph Houston was known for his sharp legal mind and assertive approach in court. Schneider, who shared a law office building with Houston for thirteen years, described their regular lunches at Mar Y Tierra Mexican eatery, where Houston often indulged in chimichangas between court appearances. Schneider emphasized Houston’s exceptional memory for legal precedents, calling him “extremely smart” and a valuable mentor. Mowbray echoed this sentiment, describing Joseph Houston as “even-keeled, a very good lawyer” who “aggressively represented his clients” while maintaining composure.
However, Joseph Houston’s assertive courtroom style occasionally led to friction. Schneider recalled an incident where a Family Court judge, after instructing Houston to be quiet and being ignored, had him briefly detained. Interestingly, even in custody, Houston’s character shone through as he reportedly used his cellphone to order pizza for the court staff.
Another blemish on his otherwise respected career was a public reprimand from the State Bar of Nevada Southern Nevada Disciplinary Board. This reprimand stemmed from Houston’s initial reluctance to refund unearned fees to a divorce client who reconciled with their spouse. The refund was only processed after a formal complaint and investigation were initiated. The disciplinary board, considering mitigating factors such as the absence of prior disciplinary issues, lack of dishonest intent, personal and emotional challenges, and Houston’s cooperation, imposed a relatively light penalty of $1,500 plus procedural costs.
Entanglement and Tipping Points: The Prince Case and Personal Struggles
Joseph Houston’s personal and professional lives became deeply intertwined when he represented his son, Dylan Houston, in a divorce case against Ashley Prince. Dylan Houston filed for divorce in October 2021, citing incompatibility after four years of marriage. Joseph Houston took on the role of his son’s attorney, setting the stage for a complex and emotionally charged legal battle.
While the initial divorce was seemingly straightforward, the issue of child custody remained contentious. Court records reveal an escalating conflict, marked by a behavioral order in April 2022 that included restrictions on communication, proximity, and property. Although some restrictions were later eased, the situation intensified when attorney Dennis Prince joined Ashley’s legal team in July 2023. Ashley Prince’s marriage to Dennis Prince and the birth of their child in January 2024 further complicated the already tense custody dispute.
Mowbray, who knew Dennis Prince as well, considered him a “balanced lawyer” and a “gentleman,” suggesting that the escalating conflict was not solely due to heated personalities. However, the stakes in the custody battle were undeniably high, particularly as Ashley’s legal team, now bolstered by Dennis Prince, sought to terminate Dylan Houston’s custody rights, even presenting a private investigator’s report alleging drunk driving by Dylan. Katherine Houston, Joseph’s wife, was scheduled for deposition at Prince’s law offices in connection with this.
Adding to the immense pressure of the legal battle, Joseph Houston was diagnosed with prostate cancer that had metastasized to his bone marrow over a year prior to the tragic events. He underwent rigorous treatments, including radiation and chemotherapy, which initially seemed successful, with his cancer appearing to recede and his hair beginning to grow back.
However, in the days leading up to the deposition at Dennis Prince’s office, Joseph Houston received devastating news: the cancer had returned. Schneider described Houston’s physical decline, noting he had gone from “incredible shape to — it just really aged him,” and was in “miserable” condition and struggling to walk. Marquis further emphasized the excruciating pain associated with Houston’s type of cancer and speculated about the potential impact of pain medication on his mental state.
Facing the deposition of his wife, the looming threat to his son’s custody rights, and the resurgence of a painful and debilitating cancer, Joseph Houston was under immense strain. Marquis suggested that any perceived slight against his son in Ashley Prince’s legal maneuvers could have been interpreted very personally by Houston, creating a “powder keg” of emotions.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Schneider could only express the profound sense of loss, stating simply, “Other than it’s a tragedy.”
If you’re thinking about suicide, or are worried about a friend or loved one, help is available 24/7 by calling or texting the Lifeline network at 988. Live chat is available at 988lifeline.org.
Contact Jeff Burbank at [email protected] or 702-383-0382. Follow him @JeffBurbank2 on X.
