Man sentenced to life for killing of lover’s spouse

A 41-year-old man convicted of the 2006 slaying of his lover's husband was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Shawn Pritchett, who was convicted in September of first-degree murder, armed robbery and conspiracy to commit murder, maintained his innocence at Wednesday's sentencing by Judge Elissa Cadish.

Pritchett told the court that he thought there was DNA evidence that could clear his name, attorneys said.

During the trial, prosecutors said Larry Thomas, a College of Southern Nevada auto technology instructor, planned to leave his wife on April 13, 2006, because of her affair with Pritchett and her use of the couple's money to support Pritchett's failing business ventures.

Pritchett attacked Thomas at his home with a baseball bat, authorities said. Pritchett then drove Thomas in a pickup to Mountain Pass, Calif., where he ran over him with the truck, killing him.

Afterward, Pritchett lived with Stephanie Thomas and her children for about two years while Henderson homicide detectives investigated the case.

Authorities relied mostly on circumstantial evidence in their case against Pritchett. A significant piece of evidence involved cell phone records that showed Pritchett at the victim's home and at the location where the body was recovered.

Stephanie Thomas pleaded guilty
Aug. 27 to second-degree murder for her role in the death of her husband. She was sentenced earlier this month to 10 to 25 years in prison.

Several of Larry Thomas' children testified during the tearful hearing.

Dale Thomas, a cousin of Larry Thomas, said afterwards that the family is relieved .

"We hope that his children have peace of mind that their father's killer will be behind bars for the rest of his life."