Trio accused in attempted hit on interstate waives preliminary hearing

By Jackie Valley

Friday, Feb. 22, 2013 | 3:13 p.m.

The relatives accused of attempting to kill a man driving last year along Interstate 15 waived their right to a preliminary hearing Friday in Las Vegas Justice Court.

Amy Bessey, 42, along with her son, Michael Bessey, 21, and her brother, Richard Pearson, 39, will make their first appearance Feb. 26 in Clark County District Court. The trio's alleged target was Amy Bessey's estranged husband, 49-year-old Robert Bessey.

They have been charged with attempted murder with use of a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit murder, and battery with a deadly weapon resulting in substantial bodily harm, among other firearm-related offenses, according to an amended criminal complaint.

At the brief hearing Friday morning, prosecutors also dropped two charges — possession of stolen property and possession of a stolen vehicle — against Richard Pearson.

A Metro Police arrest report alleges the three suspects plotted to kill Robert Bessey so they could collect a $250,000 life insurance policy. Robert Bessey was shot in the neck Nov. 14 as he drove along the highway outside of Las Vegas.

He survived the attack, but his injuries will require physical therapy, police noted in the report.

Robert Bessey told detectives Amy Bessey and Michael Bessey had an “unnatural relationship,” which was one of the reasons for the impending divorce from his wife, according to the arrest report.

Police arrested Michael Bessey on Nov. 15. The arrests of his uncle, Richard Pearson, and his mother, Amy Bessey, followed in December and January, respectively.

Michael Bessey allegedly told his roommate in jail details about the incident, the report states. His jailhouse roommate then gave police the following information:

Richard Pearson allegedly served as the driver while Michael Bessey used a .38-caliber pistol to fire a shot into his father’s vehicle on I-15. Afterward, they went to a diner and waited for Amy Bessey to pick them up.

Michael Bessey said he wanted his father dead because he had abused his mother in the past.

The suspects, who have remained in custody since their arrests, appeared in court Friday shackled at the hands and feet.