Felon pleads guilty in Nellis airman’s death

In order to avoid the death penalty, a nine-time convicted felon pleaded guilty to first-degree murder Thursday for his role in the slaying of Nellis airman Nathan Paet.

Corry Hawkins, a 38-year-old with felony convictions dating back to 1995, also pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit murder, burglary with use of a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm by an ex-felon.

"In the end, this is what's in his best interest," defense lawyer Daniel Bunin said.

Prosecutors say Michelle Paet wanted her husband out of the picture and planned the December 2010 murder over the course of six months along with Michael Rodriguez, a man with whom she worked and had a fleeting sexual relationship.

Nathan Paet, 28, was the assistant non-commissioned officer-in-charge for the Strike Aircraft Maintenance Supply section of the 757th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base. He was born in 1982 in Tamuning, Guam, where he and Michelle were high school sweethearts.

He was unaware of his wife's infidelity and never spoke of any suspicions with his relatives.

On the night of Dec. 1, 2010, Rodriguez and Hawkins waited outside the Paets' far southwest valley home, prosecutors said.

Nathan Paet was shot dead in the garage as he was leaving for work.

While Rodriguez told police that Hawkins was the gunman, a woman who was with Rodriguez later that night said he told her he pulled the trigger.

Michelle Paet and Hawkins face life in prison without the possibility of parole in December, when District Judge Douglas Herndon is slated to impose their sentences. After his conviction by a jury, Rodriguez agreed to a sentence of life in prison without parole.

Jessica Austin, who was dating Hawkins at the time of the slaying, is expected to plead guilty next week to a conspiracy charge.

Contact David Ferrara at dferrara@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039. Find him on Twitter: @randompoker