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Fog/Mist ~ River stage: 33.56 Rising Saturday, November 21, 2009 |
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Suspected accomplice in Cape Girardeau homicide asks for time to hire lawyerTuesday, November 3, 2009
Hughes, 25, of Cape Girardeau is accused of assisting Ryan T. Patterson, 28, of Cape Girardeau in the murder at Orman's home at 1224 N. Missouri Ave. on Oct. 27. Hughes declined the services of a public defender, instead asking for more time to hire a lawyer. Judge Gary Kamp ordered Hughes to return to court Nov. 23 to update Kamp on his progress in hiring a lawyer and so a date can be set for a preliminary hearing. Patterson -- who is charged with three counts of first-degree murder, three counts of armed criminal action and one count of first-degree burglary -- is accused of firing the fatal shots while Hughes allegedly waited outside the home. Both men are also accused of attempted arson for allegedly going to the home with the intention of burning it down to collect insurance money. Michelle Lawrence is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. Michelle Lawrence is the estranged wife of John Lawrence, Jamie Lynn Orman's fiance. Michelle and John Lawrence jointly own the home where the shootings occurred. She allegedly initiated a plot to kill her husband and burn the house for a $350,000 insurance payout before their divorce was final. Patterson and Michelle Lawrence will have their preliminary hearings Nov. 25. Four members of Jamie Lynn Orman's family were in court for Hughes's video appearance: her mother and father, Terry and Wayne Bettis of Georgia; and two sisters, Tammy Tiffany of Virginia and Kelly Yates, who lives in Southeast Missouri. The Bettises and Tiffany attended the court hearing while they were in the area for Jamie and Derrick Orman's joint funeral Sunday. Terry Bettis said she hopes the legal process will move quickly to resolve the case. "I hope people are shocked and appalled and say 'enough is enough,'" she said. "I want the people in charge to put them on the road to hell as soon as possible." Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle said Monday he doesn't know yet if he'll seek the death penalty for Patterson. "I won't make a decision about whether to seek the death penalty until all the statements are written and I've had a chance to listen to all the tapes," Swingle said. 388-3652 388-3642 Pertinent addresses: 1224 N. Missouri Ave., Cape Girardeau, MO 100 Court St., Jackson, MO
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Why doesn't the court just sentence him to the death penalty and save the taxpayers some money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Off with his corn-rowed head!
Did you even read the article? The man in the picture is a "suspected accomplice", no more, no less. He isn't eligible for the death penalty, as stated in the article above. The article goes on to say that Michelle Lawrence had "allegedly initiated a plot to kill her husband and burn the house to obtain a $350,000 insurance payout before their divorce was final."
"Suspected" and "allegedly" are two terms that mean very little. If an investigator or even a bystander took the time to tell a reporter what he/she thought could have happened, it is "alleged". These facts could be true, or they could not be true, or some of them could be true and some not true.
That is why Mr. Swingle has to wait until all the evidence is collected (tapes, affidavits, etc.) and he has gotten a chance to go over it, so he can decide what crimes he can charge the defendants with. He will probably charge them with the most heinous crimes that they could possibly be convicted for, under the law. That's his job. Then the defendants, like Mr. Hughes, also need legal representation so the court can hear their side of the story. It's possible that Mr. Hughes did nothing but be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and it's possible that Ms. Lawrence did nothing at all. That's why they have trials and due process.
He doesn't need a good lawyer. He needs a miracle!
I just went back and found all the other articles about this case...there's a lot to sift through. I don't really know what is true or "alleged". I do think it's a little early to say that anyone should die or go to jail. They'll get it right in court.
"He doesn't need a good lawyer. He needs a miracle!"
-- Posted by Costanza on Mon, Nov 2, 2009, at 6:11 PM
I have a feeling there's something in the wood pile on this one.
I think there are TWO of them in the wood pile..lol
I think there are TWO of them in the wood pile..lol
He wasn't just in the wrong place at the wrong time. He knew what they were going there for to begin with which means the murders were premeditated which means they can both face the death panalty if Swingle decides to push it.
Oh how sweet, he needs more TIME. How much time did the victims get?
DonT15 listen to gman Giving these criminals more time to try to swindle there way out with small insites and twisting is exactly whats wrong with the system. Their (all 3) TIME is OUT.
this is a terrible crime and they know what they were doing and we know now what there intentions were. however, the legal system must do it's job and use the proper procedure or one mistake can be the cause of a mistrial. That is why i don't think the case should even be tried here in cape county anywhere. it must be moved to a change of venue because people's minds here are already tainted and anybody who lives in southeast missouri who pays any kind of attention to the news already knows about this case and has probably already has made a prejudged decision. They would not get a legal fair trial here in cape. i know, they are guilty as heck and the victims did not get a fair life, but our court system is set up so that no matter who is accused of what, they have a legal right to defend themselves fairly. Thats the american way! If you don't like the laws set up by your forefathers, then maybe it's time for people to get a backbone and standup and write to their congressman and senators and say "we want some things changed in the constitution". Sad as this crime is, there have been worse crimes and the murderers have walked on a technicality or even claimed "temporary insanity" ( those expensive defense attorneys always use that one for the clients who can afford them). We see that one all the time. So what you see and read about the murder, sorry to say, but we still may not get a guilty verdict.
Let's look at this logically, not emotionally. Ray Ray Hughes claims that he only knew about a plan to rob the house. Why did they bring along a gas can? Surely he knew that arson would be involved at some point.
And for that matter, even IF Michelle Lawson didn't know that John Lawson was working at the time, she did know that he had a pregnant, live-in girlfriend. John may have been the target for the insurance, but Michelle knew Jamie would be there, too. Michelle told Patterson to burn the house afterward. Whether she intended for Jamie to be shot, or to die in a fire makes no difference. Knowing that Jamie was there should qualify Michelle for first degree murder, just like the other two.
When there seems to be this much against them, I will form my opinions however I want. Can I sit on their jury with this opinion... No. Can I think and say what I feel... Yes. They don't deserve the benefit of the doubt. They are trash that needs to never taste freedom again. They don't deserve to be given a place to live, food to eat, and clothes to wear at tax-payer expense. I don't believe that people with this sort of messed up belief system can be fixed with jail time, counseling, and a free education. So my conclusion is the same as shootermcgavin's: OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!
It's sad to say that Michelle Lawrence has a good chance of getting off with just a slap on the wrist for the murders. What's not fair is that she was the mastermind behind the event and for her to only get 1 count of conspiracy to commit murder is fishy. I wonder why this is her only charge? Shouldn't she be charged with 3 counts of 1st degree murder. Just because she didn't pull the trigger does not mean she should receive a lesser punishment then Patterson who actually shot them and Hughes who only stood outside. If she hadn't come up with the plan then the Orman's would still be alive.
This is not fair. Once again it proves to me that racism is still alive. Let's crucify the black men and let the white trick who thought to kill her erstranged husband and burn the house down afterwards go free. Where is the justice? I agree that Patterson and Hughes should face severe jail time but so should Lawrence. Let her butt rot in prison for the rest of their lives like I am sure Patterson and Hughes will. Instead witht his charge she'll be out within 10 yrs. No justice to me.
"They don't deserve the benefit of the doubt." Neither did Joshua Kezer? Last time I checked, folks are innocent UNTIL proven guilty by a court of their peers (and in some cases, even after that.)
A change of venue will happen - but it will not matter. This triple homicide is engrained into the minds of every citizen in the town.
I don't care all 3 of these animals need to fry
Don't even try to say Ray Ray did not know it was a hit. The monster that did the shooting tried to solicit another look out the night before and told her he had "A Lick" he was going to pull.
Any Rocket Scientist who thinks he was at the wrong place at the wrong time should read the Probable Cause Statement.
Since the shooter and the woman both worked at a Jackson nursing home maybe they should look at some of the deaths there.
What Jackson Nursing Home did they work at?
Jackson Manor
I JUST GOT HOME FROM MO. AND AT THIS TIME I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR ALL THEIR PRAYERS. ALSO I WANT TO TAKE THIS TIME TO THANK EVERYONE THAT CAME TO HELP MY DAUGHTER AND GRANDSON ON TUESDAY MORNING.THIS HAS CHANGED OUR LIVES AND WE ARE TRYING TO DEAL WITH THE AFTERMATH. I CANNOT TELL ANYONE HOW I FEEL I DON'T KNOW HOW TO FEEL AT THIS MOMENT. I AM NUMB,MY FAMILY HAS LOST TWO VERY BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE AND ONE NOT YET ABLE TO HAVE HIS MOTHER'S TOUCH AND GRANDMA'S HUGS AND KISSES.WE ARE HOPING AND PRAYING FOR JUSTICE.PLEASE KEEP MY TWO GRANDSONS THAT SURVIVE THEIR MOTHER IN YOUR PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS.THEY ARE MUCH NEEDED. I KNOW THAT HAS BEEN WHAT HAS KEPT US GOING.AGAIN THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR ALL THAT HAS BEEN DONE FOR US. TERRY BETTIS
our family ask that everyone please have patience with the case. we have had meetings with the investigators and prosecutor. we have good reason to believe the charges here are not the only ones that these three monsters will be charged with. i have a hard time calling these three anything but monsters, and that's how i will refer to them for now on! there is enough so far these three aren't going anywhere for along while if at all. i deeply beieve the female monster will get her day! I only hope its as painful as my sister and nephew felt that morning as her plan was carried out! we will see justice in this case, whether its what everyone feels they should get or not, either way it will not bring back jamie, derrick or joesph, but hopefully they won't be able to try this to anyone else again! again we thank you all for your support and prayers.