TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Three people investigators have connected to the murder-for-hire of an Austin jeweler will face capital murder charges, according to the Travis County District Attorney.
D.A. Margaret Moore confirms her office will not make plea offers to Nicolas Shaughnessy, Johnny Roman Leon III or Arieon Smith.
Ted Shaughnessy, who owned Galleria Jewelers in central Austin, was shot and killed in his home on Oliver Drive in March 2018. Nicolas Shaughnessy is his son. Nicolas Shaughnessy also faces a solicitation of capital murder charge along with his wife Jaclyn Alexa Edison.
According to court documents, Nicolas Shaughnessy offered Leon $100,000 to help him, and in turn Leon offered Smith $5,000 per month.
Moore said she intends to try Nicolas Shaughnessy, Leon and Smith on capital murder charges, but won’t seek the death penalty. Instead, her office will pursue life sentences without parole.