Jeweler's Son Jailed in Murder-for-Hire Plot
April 14, 21
(IDEX Online) - A man has admitted hiring a killer to shoot his father, a well-known jeweler in Texas, USA and has been sentenced to 35 years in prison.
Nicolas Patrick Shaughnessy, 22, entered a guilty plea to a capital murder charge, following the death of his father Ted in March 2018.
He reportedly hoped to profit from $2m in life insurance - to which he was sole beneficiary - as well as business and personal property.
Shaughnessy's mother Corey (Ted's wife) exchanged gunfire with the killer during the attack at the couple's home and survived after hiding in a closet.
Deputies found Ted's body with multiple gunshot wounds and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The couple were long-time owners of Gallerie Jewelers, which opened in 1995.
Shaughnessy's co-accused Arieon Smith was also sentenced to 35 years. The case against a third defendant is pending, said Travis County District Attorney's Office.
Pic shows Ted Shaughnessy (deceased) and Nicholas Shaughnessy