A Clark County district court sentenced 71-year-old Thomas Randolph to 60 years to life in a Nevada state prison in April 2024. Chief Judge Tierra Jones handed down the prison term following Randolph’s conviction on charges of conspiracy to commit murder and two counts of murder with a deadly weapon.
The sentencing brings a legal conclusion to a case spanning nearly 16 years. Prosecutors demonstrated during Randolph’s second trial that he hired handyman Michael Miller to stage a robbery and kill his sixth wife, Sharon Clausse. Randolph then shot and killed Miller to eliminate him as a witness.
The 2008 Murders and Staged Break-In
The case dates back to May 8, 2008, when Clausse and Miller were killed at the couple’s Las Vegas home. Randolph initially told investigators that an intruder killed his wife and that he shot the intruder in self-defense. Randolph claimed he delayed entering the house after returning from a date night because he was listening to his vehicle’s radio.
Investigators quickly found inconsistencies in his account. Phone records revealed hundreds of prior contacts between Randolph and Miller, dismantling the defense’s claim that Miller was an unknown intruder. Prosecutors maintained that Randolph plotted the murder to collect more than $300,000 in life insurance policies held on Clausse before turning on the handyman.
Legal Proceedings and Overturned Conviction
The conviction marked Randolph’s second trial for the same offenses. In 2017, a Clark County jury convicted Randolph, and an initial judge sentenced him to death. However, the Nevada Supreme Court overturned that conviction in 2020.
The state high court ruled that the initial trial judge erred by allowing the jury to hear details of a similar 1986 plot involving the death of Randolph’s second wife, Becky Gault, in Utah. Gault died from a gunshot wound to the head. While a Utah jury acquitted Randolph of murder in that case in 1989, prosecutors had attempted to use that historical pattern in the Las Vegas proceedings.
Retrial and Final Sentencing
Following the reversal, prosecutors did not seek the death penalty during the retrial due to Randolph’s age and health. In August 2023, a new Clark County jury found Randolph guilty of two counts of murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder.
During the sentencing hearing before Chief Judge Tierra Jones, Randolph maintained his innocence, telling the court, “I didn’t kill Sharon. I had nothing to do with this.” Defense attorneys noted that Randolph faced significant medical issues. Ultimately, Judge Jones ordered him to serve 60 years to life in state prison, ensuring he will remain behind bars for the rest of his life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Thomas Randolph?
Thomas Randolph is a Nevada man convicted of orchestrating the 2008 murders of his sixth wife, Sharon Clausse, and handyman Michael Miller.
What sentence did Thomas Randolph receive?
In April 2024, Clark County Chief Judge Tierra Jones sentenced Randolph to 60 years to life in Nevada state prison following his conviction on two counts of murder with a deadly weapon and one count of conspiracy to commit murder.
Why was Randolph’s first conviction overturned?
The Nevada Supreme Court overturned his 2017 conviction in 2020, ruling that the initial trial judge improperly admitted prejudicial evidence regarding the 1986 death of his second wife in Utah.
What was the motive behind the 2008 murders?
Prosecutors proved that Randolph hired Michael Miller to kill Sharon Clausse to collect more than $300,000 in life insurance money, and then killed Miller to eliminate him as a witness.
How long did the legal case take?
The legal proceedings spanned nearly 16 years from the initial arrests in January 2009 following the May 2008 killings through the final sentencing in April 2024.
