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Suspects face additional charges in Cape Girardeau murderSunday, November 1, 2009The two men accused of murder in the Cape Girardeau shooting deaths of a pregnant woman and her son early Tuesday now also face attempted arson charges. Ryan T. Patterson, 28, and Samuel R. "Ray Ray" Hughes, 25, were given the additional charge Friday by Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle. According to police accounts of the plot that ended with the deaths of Jamie Lynn Orman, 30, and Derrick Orman, 15, at 1224 N. Missouri Ave., Patterson went to the home intent on killing John Lawrence and setting the house ablaze. Hughes went along at the urging of Patterson to burglarize the house and act as lookout, documents filed with the charges show. The charge added Friday, which carries a potential penalty of five to 15 years in prison, is in addition to the murder and burglary charges each faces. The pair is accused of bringing a can of gasoline to the home, Swingle said Friday. The gasoline was left in the home, and no fire was set. Patterson lived in a south Cape Girardeau apartment at 921 Hackberry St. with Michelle R. Lawrence, 39, the estranged wife of John Lawrence. She faces a single count of conspiracy to commit first degree murder, with a possible penalty of five to 15 years in prison. Swingle accuses Lawrence of planning with Patterson to murder John Lawrence, who was trying to divorce her. John Lawrence and Michelle Lawrence jointly own the home at 1224 N. Missouri Ave., and she is accused of wanting him dead to collect a life insurance payout and for Patterson to burn the home so she could collect insurance on it as well.
Hughes is charged with three counts of second-degree murder, a single count of burglary plus the attempted arson. He faces a possible sentence of life in prison if convicted. Jamie Orman was seven months pregnant. One of the murder charges is for the death of the unborn child. The charges allege Patterson shot Jamie Orman and her son Derrick while they lay in their beds in the basement of the home. All three suspects are being held at the Cape Girardeau County Jail. Bond for Patterson is $750,000. Bond for Hughes has been set at $500,000, and Michelle Lawrence has a bond of $250,000. The funeral for the Ormans will be at 1 p.m. today at Miller Family Funeral Home in Perryville, Mo. 388-3642 Pertinent address: 1224 N. Missouri Ave., Cape Girardeau, MO 829 W. St. Joseph St., Perryville, MO
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Makes me sick she only has the one charge!!
If they're adding attempted arson charges to the other two, can they not add some type of arson-conspiracy charge to hers at least? From the previous stories, her plan was that they murder her ex-husband and burn the house, so she was conspiring for the arson as well...
Re: Michelle R. Lawrence
Should there be additional conspiracy charges filed? For example, conspiracy to commit fraud (ie described insurance scams). Conspiracy to commit arson.
Conspiracy.
564.016. 1...
http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/c500-599...
Keep it up Morley. You are doing a good job on this one!!!! I don't care what anyone says.
She should be held more accountable then these two. Her actions put this all into motion. She should have the most charges and the highest bond. I forgot where we are, Southeast Missouri.
Morley is going to pick the sentence that is going to get all three of them the longest or worst sentence. I agree with Mr. Wiffle-keep it up. I am so thankful our local pd worked so hard to find these people.
I'm sure she'll be charged with as much as they can come up with. There should be other charges concerning murder for hire. I'm sure there is a law that prohibits the hiring of another to commit murder. They tried to get a coworker involved for $15,000. That coworkder knew about the entire incident, why isn't that coworker being charged?
Looks like the Morley felt the need to make a "deal with the devil" and offer Michelle a plea agreement in order to nail the shooter. If he did make this deal then he will feel the wrath of the citizens who think she should be charged with murder. If he did not make any deal with Michelle in exchange for her confession then I would expect POSSIBLY more charges to follow on her because a co-worker of her's and Patterson's said that Michelle wanted both the ex and his girlfriend killed. Also, since arson seemed part of the plan to collect fire insurance and she knew that her ex-husband's girlfriend was living there then how can you burn a house down without killing the girlfriend? This may not be over for Michelle. We shall see. In any event, she deserves to spend the rest of her days on this earth confined to an 8 X 10 foot cell with another person of the same moral values. KTBA
Anyone that has a part in someones death should be charged to the max not able to plea out for a lesser sentence. She should fry along with them.
very difficult to have confidence in a PA who didn't recall a highly publicized supreme court ruling hopefully he doesn't drop the ball on this one
Also, the DEATH PENALY for mr. hughes!!!!!
Ray, Ray NEEDS to DIE,DIE!!!!!
I understand Morley wanting to make sure the charges against Michelle Lawrence can lead to a conviction, but I still think he can dig up something else.
She bought the bullets: accessory to murder.
She told others she would share the insurance money with them: murder for hire.
She wanted Ms. Orman dead along with Lawrence.
She was conspiring to commit insurance fraud.
Also, where were her 2 kids? Were they ever in danger?
She's the instigator and the one and only reason that this happened. Conspiracy to commit murder is not enough.
Just_Me-------Sorry, but I'm afraid the plea agreemnt has already been made and if it has then the only way to negate it is if Michelle can be proven to be untruthful in her afidavit for the plea. I am sure she has confessed to he conspiracy to commit felony murder against her husband. That itself insures a guilty verdict and probably a guilty plea. But, if she swore that killing her ex's girlfriend along with him was not part of the plan then Morley may have one card up his sleave. If Jackson is willing to testify against Michelle for conspiracy to commit felony murder against girlfriend if death penalty is taken off table for himself then it may be a whole new ballgame for Michelle. Corroborating witness(s) at work or elswhere willing to tesify that girlfriend's murder was always part of plan could negate plea agreement and lead to murder charge against Michelle for death of girlfriend and unborn child. That would assure her a## being locked up a long time. KTBA
James R. "Ray Ray" Hughes is aka Samuel Hughes or is the picture wrong?
Though it seems premature to me, the way it appears Michelle is singing, I'm afraid gmh6419 is correct on the plea agreement. If there is an agreement, we can only hope she trips all over herself.
So many lives affected by the selfishness of one woman.
Ryan used to work at the same place I do. This Michelle was CRAZY!! She kept coming to his job & kept calling on the phone & harrassing everyone. Threatening to come & kick peoples *****. The person in charge had to call the police on her. Seeing that side of her, there is no doubt in my mind that she wanted them all dead. She is psychotic! He is a typical druggy, criminal with no conscience. He has no concept of right or wrong. He got fired for doing some crazy inappropriate things. And to top it all off he was working in healthcare taking care of people!! This was probably a year ago.
let me clarify something....he knows society's concept or right or wrong but doesn't really have a conscience so they are the same to him personally.
If the prosecuting attorney can get enough credible witnesses to tesify that Michelle wanted the girlfriend dead than all bets are off and she goes for at least 2 counts of 2nd degree murder. 1st count-girlfriend, 2nd count unborn child. Then lets make sentences run consecutively and let her grow old and dead in prison. KTBA
Michelle Lawrence was very much abused by her husband, I know the justice system will prevail but adding charges to her is wrong everyone says things they dont mean and ryan just took it the wrong way. She was watching her and john Lawrences children when this happened, everyone is very sorry for what happened and they didn't deserve to die. Michelle never wanted his girlfriend dead or anyone else she has tried to help people all her life. This is just a tradgy for everyone especially the children involved.
easyaspie----Are you saying she didn't conspire with her live in lover(ugh) Ryan Jackson to murder her exhusband? She admitted buying the bullets for the murder. She is on public record in her numerous requests for "protection orders" that he is "cheating". Her hatred for her ex's girfriend(s) is a matter of public record. Why are you defending this murder conspirator??KTBA
To easyaspie
Michelle was crazy! She has years of documentation to prove this. She conspired to kill someone and you are saying she didn't want this to happen? That's pretty sick
Could we all stop and focus on the issue at hand? There are children and other family memebers who have lost loved ones in this tragic event and desperately need our prayers. Maybe we can all stop trying to be "arm chair attorneys" and spend our time in prayer for the children who lost their mother and the children of the accused. Life is going to be very difficult for them for some time to come. Lets stop and pray for them and let the justice system handle this.
semolover-----I think most of us have said prayers for all the victims of this tragedy. I usually pray at church or at night before bed. I certainly don't come on here and pray. This site is meant to discuss the above article written in the Pantograph. In that article, prayer is not mentioned. If you don't like what people discuss on this site then don't come on but please don't try to impose what you think should be done on everybody else. Thank you. I hope you understand now. We are focusing on the "issue at hand". KTBA
Sorry, I meant Southeas Missourian.
unles anyone of you has walked in michelles shoes then you should keep quite.Where are all of these women shelters and high profile attorneys when you need them. The husband is no saint/ it wouldn't suprise me if he didn't make a deal with the devil and they just haven't all got caught, only they haven't involved him YET. If everyone knew she needed help why didnt they try. Morley Swingle is doing the best he knows how. Where are the two girls that Ryan offered 15,000 dollars a piece to be the look out and why didn't they call the police when he took them to the house? Did they just fall off the face of the earth. THEY KNEW what was going to happen and never spoke up, where are their charges. Everyone knows that people say things they dont mean from time to time but that doesn't mean your going to act on them.All these families are hurting but that doesn't give anyone the right to convict Michelle before they find out the true facts.
easyaspie----Your condemning strangers who never knew anything about this witch and telling us we should have got her help. You apparently knew her and him, why the hell didn't you get her help and maybe YOU could have prevented a triple murder. Quit playing the violin in sympathy for this wicked, evil excuse for a human. She conspired to kill someone. What about that don't you understand. It wouldn't surprise me if your wern't one of the co-workers who "knew" ahead of time about this plot. KTBA
Easyaspie,
I agree with you and I have known Michelle for many years. I saw first hand years ago the things that John said to her..he was so mentally abusive and when I asked her to talk to someone, she made excuses that she just needed to lose weight, be a better mom, clean the house more, etc, and THEN he would love her. I think her mentality was "I tried to be the best person for him, he put me down, ripped my self-esteem to shreds, and STILL cheats on me??" I think she had just had enough. She snapped...no, not everyone that has gone thru this same thing hires someone to kill their abusive spouse, but some are just stronger mentally than others. The kids should be the focus right now and I am talking about Brianna and John, Jr. I know they are going to have the lasting effects on this more than that dad and mom will. But to you all that are quick to judge, make sure you know everything before you start. I think as this trial begins, you are going to hear more about what he did to her..I know of 2 people that will be testifying on her behalf due to all the abuse she endured by him.
Look at the lady who shot her husband several times in the back and got off with time served and her only complaint was he made her wear high heels in the bedroom. I assure you Michelle was way more abused than that. I have seen when he would text her trying to hook up with her long after they were separated and she would text back to just leave her alone. He continued to mentally/emotionally abuse her right up till the end. I have also heard when her kids would call her at work crying because they didn't want to be with their dad.
Look at the lady who shot her husband several times in the back and got off with time served and her only complaint was he made her wear high heels in the bedroom. I assure you Michelle was way more abused than that. I have seen when he would text her trying to hook up with her long after they were separated and she would text back to just leave her alone. He continued to mentally/emotionally abuse her right up till the end. I have also heard when her kids would call her at work crying because they didn't want to be with their dad.
Ok ladies let's keep standing up for this woman who conspired with her live in lover(Ugh), Ryan T. Patterson, aka., "domehead" to murder her husband. As a result of her conspiracy with this piece of garbage 3 human souls were lost that night including an unborn infant and a 15 yr old boy. I hope Michelle isn't too disappointed that her husband wasn't home and escaped being mudered. Easyaspie you wouldnt' be surprised if Mr. Lawrence made a deal with the devil and is involved in this triple murder. What devil. Are completely crazy. Face up to it, Michelle is an evil witch who was scorned and dragging out a divorce for almost 2 years to "punish" her husband. Time was almost up so time to cash in on the life insurance. It's a shame she can't be put to death by hanging in the public squard. KTBA
No, and I repeat no, amount of abuse he allegedly did to Michelle, warrants this cold-blooded, calculated, and pre-meditated action on her part. If it was so bad and he was texting her, change your number. And if it was so abusive, then after they separated, she should have been happy to be done with him and agreed to the divorce. Trust and believe, she wanted Jamie dead. She wanted to make John "pay" and killing Jamie was the best way she knew how. He may not have been a saint himself (I did not ever meet him so I don't know whether he was or not)but she had options and legal recourse and chose instead to have them killed. She KNEW Jamie's kids were there, because she had just picked up John Jr. and Brianna Monday evening. Anything to do with insurance money if that even was part of it, was secondary. Her sole motive was to cause their deaths period. Maybe you did not know her. She is my neighbor and my children played with her son and she had enough faculties to know right from wrong when I talked with her, even though she was an obsesive, vindictive nut.
Okay, no matter WHAT this man supposedly "did" to her, it did NOT warrant an innocent woman, a teenager, and an unborn child being KILLED. Do you not GET this? No matter how he supposedly "abused" her, she could have gone the high road and taken care of it through the legal system instead of hiring two no good thugs to kill innocent people.
You people who are defending this woman need to rot in jail along with them for your pathetic mentality. Children were murdered and it's "poor michelle". Poor nothing, hope she rots in jail where she belongs.
Nobody disagrees what she did was wrong, but most of you are way off base. Everyone keeps saying she meant this and that and though this and that. Someone even said she is the one who begged him to kill them. Were any of you there? Are any of you psychic and can read her mind? Furthermore you have to have supporting evidence to convict someone for something not just because you all feel like she should be convicted for this and that.
Are you people crazy??? You all are crying over the fact that her husband mentally abused her and "ripped her self-esteem to shreds" WHO CARES? Obviously she wasn't to saddened that she thought to KILL him and BURN the house down for money. Sure let's blame the fact that she was emotionally disturbed and had a hard marriage, yea that's the reason alot of people committ crimes. THEY HAVE HAD HARD LIVES!! So what! There is and no excuse to develop a plan to murder someone for her own selfish gain. I do not have to know Michelle in order to know that she wasn't too burdened by what John did to her, she had another boyfriend.
Get over it! She's just as much as murderer as the man who pulled the trigger and the one who watched. She needs more time in prison than both of the men. No women's shelter could have helped her, she knew what she wanted to happen and it did. Maybe not in the exact what but the girlfriend and the ex-husband's unborn child are dead. SHE IS GUILTY! No excuses people.
The evidence I do have Mrs. Nosey is that she just picked up her two children on Monday evening and knew Jamie's children were there. She herself had even told me how much she hated Jamie. But I know the day she picked up her kids and that it was on Monday evening/late afternoon, because when her son got home, he came to play with my kids.