Wife, two others to face death penalty in airman’s slaying

Clark County prosecutors decided Wednesday to seek the death penalty for three of four defendants charged in the slaying of Air Force Staff Sgt. Nathan Paet in a plot authorities said was devised by the airman’s wife and her lover.

Prosecutors will seek capital punishment against Michelle Paet, 29; Michael Rodriguez, 31; and Corry Hawkins, 33. All were indicted by a grand jury last month on charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder and burglary. Rodriguez and Hawkins also face a fourth charge of possession of a firearm by an ex-felon.

Las Vegas police said Nathan Paet, 28, was shot and killed Dec. 1 by Rodriguez and Hawkins as he was leaving his home to go to work at Nellis Air Force Base.

Rodriguez and Hawkins were alerted that Paet was leaving home by text messages sent by his wife, police said.

It is alleged that Michelle Paet and Rodriguez had planned to collect the sergeant’s $600,000 in military benefits and insurance money.

Prosecutors decided not to seek the death penalty against a fourth co-defendant, Jessica Austin, 23, who faces similar charges. Authorities said Austin helped destroy evidence in the case.

The district attorney’s death penalty committee also decided that capital punishment will be sought against a man charged with killing two nursing home patients and a pimp charged with slaying a prostitute.

Prosecutors will seek the death penalty against Gustavo Ramos, who faces two counts each of murder, armed robbery and sexual assault for the 1998 killing of 75-year-old Wallace Siegel and 86-year-old Helen Sabraw, who were found on back-to-back days at their assisted-living home.

Prosecutors also will seek capital punishment against Marshall Greene, who authorities allege beat to death Alicia Lee in October.