Pennsy Woman, Co-Conspirator, on Trial for Her 71-Year-Old Mother's Murder

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A Pennsylvania woman and her co-conspirator are on trial for conspiring to have her 71-year-old mother, Alice Robson, killed in 2023. Melissa Fox-Beacom's ex-boyfriend testified that she often spoke about wanting to kill her mother, and the alleged shooter, Robert Jack, has turned state's witness and will testify against Fox-Beacom and Bates.

Why it matters

This case highlights the tragic consequences of family disputes and the lengths some will go to resolve them, as well as the importance of the justice system in holding those responsible accountable for their actions.

The details

Prosecutors allege that Fox-Beacom, 51, and Bates, 20, who was dating Fox-Beacom's daughter at the time, conspired to have Robson killed. Bates reportedly told detectives that Fox-Beacom and her mother had a difficult relationship due to custody issues surrounding Fox-Beacom's son, who requires around-the-clock care. Robson had an order of protection against her daughter. On December 11, 2023, Bates allegedly said he was at Robson's home working on a car when he and Fox-Beacom left and later returned, meeting up with Jack, 20, who is accused of shooting Robson twice in the head. They then allegedly put her body in a crawl space beneath the back porch and tried to clean the blood from the living room.

• On December 11, 2023, Alice Robson was shot to death.
• In February 2026, Melissa Fox-Beacom and Matthew Jason Bates are on trial for Robson's murder.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The case against Robert Jack, the alleged shooter, is still pending, and it's not clear if he made a deal in exchange for his testimony against Fox-Beacom and Bates.