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Woman Convicted in Sports Bet Ticket Killing

by Matt Pordum

LAS VEGAS -- A jury found a woman guilty Wednesday of murdering a man over a $44,000 sports ticket.

Bridget Pascua, 35, waived her right to jury sentencing after her standby counsel Jennifer Bolton reached a deal with Chief Deputy District Attorney William Kephart on the penalty prior to the verdict.

With the deal, Pascua faces a minimum sentence of 54 years to life for the murder of Doyle Upson. District Judge John McGroarty will sentence her June 17.

The jury convicted Pascua, who represented herself during the trial, on charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping and robbery.

Bolton said the deal essentially gives Pascua "light at the end of the tunnel."

Kimberly Crawford, 36, had previously confessed to beating Upson and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 20 years.

Crawford's testimony during Pascua's trial was crucial to Kephart's case. She said Pascua was in control of the murder and not just covering it up under orders from a mobster, as Pascua had argued.

Crawford testified she, Pascua and alleged drug dealer Ralph Crispin all became high on crack and went to Upson's home in the 700 block of Casino Center Boulevard to make Upson hand over the winning sports ticket.

When Upson wouldn't give it to them, Crawford said Pascua ordered her to start beating him with the hammer until he handed it over. Crawford said the three continued smoking crack throughout the nearly eight-hour beating.

Prosecutors expressed concern over where Pascua would be detained. Kephart said if Pascua were put in the Southern Nevada Women's Correctional Facility, she may follow up on threats she made to Crawford, who is serving her sentence there.

McGroarty scheduled a hearing for Thursday to determine where Pascua would be detained.

Pascua was calm before the verdict, even sharing a laugh with Bolton. After the verdict was read, Pascua was notified of the deal.

Copyright © Las Vegas Sun. Inc. Republished with permission.

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