The Associated Press reported Friday mainland-time that a jury had found Rodriguez guilty of conspiracy and murder in the death of Staff Sgt. Nathan Paet, a U.S. Air Force service member and Iraq War veteran from Guam.
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Michelle Paet sobbed in court as she pleaded guilty to plotting her husband’s death with her ex-lover, Michael Rodriguez, who was also found guilty last week of gunning down Nathan Paet.
But yesterday, Rodriguez took a plea deal to avoid the death penalty and get life without parole instead.
Clark County District Court Judge Douglas Herndon could sentence Michelle Paet to life in prison without parole or give her the possibility of release after 21 years.
Michelle, meanwhile was supposed to go on trial next Monday, but just a day later, pleaded guilty as well, according to a report in the Las Vegas Review Journal. She faces murder, conspiracy and weapon charges and the death penalty if she’s convicted.
Her trial is scheduled to begin October 2.
Prosecutors Frank Coumou and Michelle Fleck acknowledged Wednesday that they’re talking with Paet’s defense attorneys, Dayvid Figler and Kristina Wildeveld, about a plea deal that would avoid trial.
“The guy knew what he was doing”, she said.
The alleged gunman, Corry Hawkins, and his girlfriend, Jessica Austin, are still awaiting trial.
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Nathan Paet’s mother, Carmelita Paet, said outside the courtroom that she accepted the apology but it doesn’t bring her son back. She allegedly was having an affair with Rodriguez. “Lol”, one message said.
