Defendant takes deal in slaying of U.S. airman from Guam

Associated Press

Friday, Oct. 16, 2015 | 4:19 p.m.

A co-defendant has taken a plea deal to avoid a death penalty trial for his role in the Las Vegas slaying of a U.S. Air Force service member from Guam.

Correy Alexis Hawkins, 38, pleaded guilty Thursday in Clark County District Court to murder, conspiracy, weapon and burglary charges in the December 2010 slaying of Staff Sgt. Nathan Paet.

Hawkins was due to begin trial Monday. He'll face life in prison without parole when he's sentenced Dec. 15, prosecutor Michelle Fleck said.

He'll be the third person convicted in the case that prosecutors allege stemmed from a bid to collect $650,000 in life insurance for Paet's death.

Paet's wife, Michelle Antwanette Paet, 34, pleaded guilty Oct. 1 to murder, conspiracy and weapon charges to avoid trial.

Clark County District Court Judge Douglas Herndon could sentence her to life in prison without parole or give her the possibility of release after 21 years. Her sentencing is set Dec. 14.

Paet's former boyfriend, Michael Rudolph Rodriguez, 36, stood trial last month and was found guilty of conspiracy, murder, burglary and weapon possession by an ex-felon.

Rodriguez gave up his right to appeal before the jury began deliberating his penalty. He'll be sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Hawkins' former girlfriend, Jessica Ashley Austin, is due to take a plea deal next week.

Nathan Paet, 28, was shot five times as he prepared to drive to work at Nellis Air Force Base outside Las Vegas. He had served in Iraq and was an F-15 supply technician with the 757th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.