LAS VEGAS (Court TV) — A retired Las Vegas police detective convicted in the shooting death of her former son-in-law was sentenced to 24 years to life in prison.
Pamela Bordeaux sat in court ahead of the verdict. (Court TV)
In June, 60-year-old Pamela Bordeaux was convicted of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Sean Babbitt. Court documents state Bordeaux admitted to shooting Babbitt at her home during a supervised child visitation on April 22, 2019.
On Oct. 1, the judge said the killing “seemed incredibly premeditated” before sentencing Bordeaux to a total of 24 years to life in prison.
Babbitt shared a child with Bordeaux’s daughter, who told officers she was upstairs with the child when she heard gunshots. Prosecutors said Babbitt was shot 10 times, calling it an “execution.”
Bordeaux’s defense claimed Babbitt was a “deviant” porn addict, and she acted in self-defense. A family member described Babbitt as a “passive person who wouldn’t hurt a fly” at a previous hearing.
Erika Carnell, Bordeaux’s daughter, testified that Babbitt was preparing to fight for joint custody at the time of the shooting.
TRIAL HIGHLIGHTS
DAY 6 – 6/20/24
- The jury finds Pamela Bordeaux guilty of first-degree murder
DAY 5 – 6/18/24
- Both sides deliver closing arguments:
- The jury begins deliberations:
DAY 4 – 6/17/24
- The defense’s first witness was Michael Rohac, an insurance broker who originally befriended Pamela Bordeaux when they both worked at LVMPD.
- Rohac later reconnected with Bordeaux and they’ve maintained a friendship since.
- Rohac said Bordeaux would occasionally refer potential clients his way, including Sean Babbitt, who “Pam” felt needed life insurance when Sean and Erika had a child, Rohac testified.
- Defendant Pamela Bordeaux took the stand
DAY 3 – 6/14/24
- The state called 3 witnesses Thursday to close out their case. A crime scene analyst went through photos, marking each piece of evidence around the victim’s body.
- During her cross-examination, she did concede that the evidence was consistent with someone shooting and backing up.
- The state then called a DNA forensic analyst who placed Bordeaux’s DNA on the firearm at 40.4 septillion times more likely than anyone else.
- The state’s final witness was a retired detective who oversaw the case. He testified to the motive, including a custody dispute and a possible life insurance policy claim that Erika and Pamela were the beneficiaries of. He also believes that Babbitt was shot while attempting to put his shoes on to leave the home.
- WATCH: Bodycam Footage Shows Arrest of Pamela Bordeaux
