Murder suspect gets 2nd trial delay; another suspect gets change of venue

For the second time in less than a month, the case against Ryan T. Patterson, the main suspect in the Oct. 27 murders of Jamie Lynn Orman and her son, has been delayed before Circuit Court Judge William Syler. The case against Samuel "Ray Ray" Hughes, another suspect in the Orman murders, will not be tried in Cape Girardeau County.

Patterson is charged with three counts of first-degree murder, three counts of armed criminal action and one count of burglary.

David Kenyon, Patterson's attorney, said Tuesday he's still in the process of obtaining records, many of them from the Missouri Department of Social Services children's division. The records may be useful in the penalty phase of the case, he said. He'd like Morley Swingle, Cape Girardeau County prosecuting attorney, to review the records before making a decision on whether to seek the death penalty for Patterson.

Although the records have been found in a collection of archives in Jefferson City, Mo., the agency must review them before releasing them to Kenyon.

Syler granted the delay but expressed disappointment. "I'm anxious to get moving on this, and I'm sure you are as well," Syler told Kenyon. "I'm a little disappointed to learn this."

While Kenyon said he is disappointed, too, he's not surprised about the delay. He has expected obtaining these records would take a while, he said.

"I understand the court's concern. I'm trying to move this forward," Kenyon said.

Syler set a hearing for the prosecution and Kenyon to present their first round of legal motions March 31 and April 7, they'll present any evidentiary motions.

"We have enough evidence to know we'll have a motion to suppress statements," Kenyon said.

Another suspect in the Orman murder case will be tried in a different Southeast Missouri county.

Syler granted Hughes a change of venue to Mississippi County before Patterson's hearing Tuesday. Neither man appeared in the courtroom.

Hughes is charged with three counts of second-degree murder, burglary and attempted arson in the shooting of Orman and her son Derrick at the home she shared with John Lawrence at 1224 N. Missouri Ave. Orman was pregnant at the time of the killings.

Michelle Lawrence, 39, the third suspect in the murders, allegedly initiated a plot to kill her husband, John Lawrence, and burn down the house they both owned to obtain a large insurance payout while their divorce proceedings were still pending. She's been charged with a single count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.

Syler approved a change of venue for Lawrence in January. Her case will now be heard in Bollinger County. She'll appear in court again April 23, where a plea or trial date is expected to be set.

ehevern@semissourian.com

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