Couple enter Alford plea in man’s death

Tuesday, March 29, 2005 | 9:41 a.m.

A married couple who faced the death penalty for the 2002 killing of an elderly Las Vegas man pleaded guilty to lesser charges just minutes before jury selection was set to begin in their trial on Monday.

Thirty-six-year-old Keelee Chafford and 54-year-old James Wade both originally faced five felony counts in connection to the Aug. 9, 2002, death of Lloyd Nelson, 73.

But prosecutors agreed to let Chafford enter an Alford plea to one count of second-degree murder and one count of conspiracy to commit robbery and to let Wade enter an Alford plea to one count of voluntary manslaughter with use of a deadly weapon.

Under an Alford plea a defendant technically does not admit guilt but agrees that prosecutors could prove their case at trial.

Chafford and Wade originally were charged with conspiracy, burglary, and first-degree kidnapping, robbery, and murder with use of a deadly weapon -- all of a victim 65 years of age or older.

Both Chafford and Wade are scheduled to be sentenced by District Judge Jackie Glass on May 17.

Chafford faces 10 years to life in prison or a set term of 10 to 25 years in prison for second-degree murder under ordinary sentencing guidelines. As part of the plea agreement, however, prosecutors have agreed to stipulate Chafford be sentenced to 10 to 25 years in prison.

Chafford faces one to six years for conspiracy to commit robbery. Wade faces two to 10 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter and one to six years in prison for conspiracy to commit robbery.

Glass, however, will ultimately have the final say on Chafford and Wade's sentences.

Prosecutors alleged Chafford and Nelson had a romantic relationship. They said Nelson had been paying the couple's rent at their condominium on Grey Lane near the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and Chafford often cleaned Nelson's home.

Upon refusing to continue paying the couple's rent, prosecutors allege the couple used a rope or handcuffs to bind Nelson's wrists and neck while they beat him.

Nelson died from asphyxiation caused by strangulation and blunt force trauma to the head.

The pair allegedly stole several items belonging to Nelson, which included Nelson's GMC Jimmy, a gun and jewelry, and fled the state after the killing.