Man Sentenced in 1987 Murders of Wealthy In-Laws

A man accused of plotting the murder of his wealthy in-laws pleaded no contest Monday and was immediately sentenced to two consecutive terms of 26 years to life in prison.

Charles Robert LeGros, 47, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, was charged with offering two men $750,000 to kill Jack and Carmen Hively, his wife’s mother and stepfather. The Hivelys were found shot to death execution-style Oct. 6, 1987.

“We got all we wanted,” Santa Barbara County Dist. Atty. Thomas Sneddon said after the sentencing by Superior Court Judge Ronald Stevens. “We feel it is unlikely LeGros will ever get out of prison.”

LeGros, a father of three, hired his business partner, Yair Orr, and Navad Nackan, both Israeli citizens, to kill the Hivelys at their Montecito home.

In a sworn statement, Nackan said LeGros told the hit men he would stand to gain millions if the couple were dead.

LeGros’ wife, Wendy, inherited $2 million after the killings. Earlier this month she agreed to testify against her husband in exchange for immunity. Authorities said they believe Wendy LeGros knew about the plot but did not take an active role in planning the shootings.

Orr and Nackan were arrested in Tel Aviv in 1990. Both were sentenced to life in prison in Israel because the country does not extradite its citizens.

Authorities said Nackan’s confession and Wendy LeGros’ statements helped seal the case against LeGros.