Teens plead guilty in killing of Battle Mountain family

Thursday, April 8, 1999 | 9:12 a.m.

Kyle Ray and Colby Becker, both 15 at the time, plotted the killings and traded off pulling the trigger, killing Ray's parents and 12-year-old sister, prosecutors said.

Charged as adults, Ray pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder with use of a deadly weapon and Becker pleaded guilty to one count on the same charge.

"Ever since I got this case I've been looking for a reason and there isn't one," said Lyon County District Attorney Robert Estes, who was appointed special prosecutor in the case.

When Ray and Becker entered their pleas in district court and were asked by the judge to tell him in their own words what happened, "Becker said 'I shot Kyle's dad in the back of the head,"' Estes said. "And Kyle Ray said 'I shot my mom and my sister."'

"I went through these files with a fine-tooth comb trying to find any answer," Estes said.

The best explanation he could find was a statement Ray made to police about how his mom made him mad because "she wouldn't let me do stuff," Estes said.

Authorities said Becker shot James Ray, 42, with a Remington .22-caliber rifle. Kyle Ray was charged with shooting his mother, Kimberly, 37, and his sister, Jennifer, 12, with the same weapon.

The boys are too young to be sentenced to death. Both face up to life in prison with or without the possibility of parole. Ray is scheduled to be sentenced June 14 and Becker on June 15.

In exchange for their pleas, Estes said he will not oppose the chance for parole. The pleas followed a ruling by District Judge Richard Wagner to allow some of the boys' confessions to be used at trial.

Under Nevada law, the sentence for each plea is automatically doubled because a deadly weapon was used in the crime.

"The enhancement must be served consecutive to the sentence for murder," Estes said. "There's nothing Becker can do. He's going to do 40 years at a minimum."

Ray faces four life terms. The judge will decide if Ray must serve all the terms consecutively or be allowed to serve two at the same time. Depending on Wagner's decision, Ray will have to serve either 40 years or 80 years before becoming eligible for parole.

The sentencing hearings are scheduled for a full day.

"The judge said he wants a full and complete picture of these young men and this event so he can reach an appropriate sentence." said Ray's attorney, Marc Picker.