Orman murder suspect's story revealed through guilty plea

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Samuel Hughes had just seen Ryan Patterson, gun in hand, standing over a dying 15-year-old boy. Now, Hughes was sitting in a car with Patterson, who was pointing the silver revolver at him.

"Loose lips sink ships," Patterson allegedly told him. "Tell anyone and I will kill you."

That was the version of events that a judge heard Thursday about Hughes' involvement in the murder of Jamie Lynn Orman, her unborn child and her 15-year-old son Derrick. Hughes pleaded guilty Thursday to a reduced second-degree murder charge in exchange for his testimony in Patterson's August capital murder trial.

If Hughes does testify, Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle said he would recommend a 20-year sentence and drop two counts of murder, burglary and attempted arson. Patterson's trial, where Swingle will also seek the death penalty, is scheduled for Aug. 1 in Jackson.

Sentencing for Hughes is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 13.

Three people were arrested after the Oct. 27, 2009 killing: Patterson, Hughes and Michelle Lawrence, the estranged spouse of Orman's boyfriend John Lawrence. Authorities believe that Michelle Lawrence was behind a plot to kill her husband and burn down their home for the insurance money.

But Swingle said Thursday that Hughes was unaware of any plot.

As Hughes watched during the 30-minute plea hearing at the Mississippi County Courthouse, Swingle told Judge David Dolan that Hughes believed he was participating in a burglary during the early morning hours of Oct. 27, 2009. Patterson and Hughes went to a house on North Missouri Avenue in Cape Girardeau, Swingle said.

"Hughes has maintained that he did not know anybody was going to be killed," Swingle said. "He didn't even know anybody was going to be there. He thought they were going to steal things out of the house."

The men tried together to break into the house, but when the garage door was locked, Patterson told Hughes to go to the front of the house and keep a lookout, Swingle said. Then Hughes told authorities he heard what he thought was "thunder or gunshots."

Hughes ran to the back of the house and saw that Patterson had kicked in a door to the basement.

"That's when he saw Ryan Patterson standing over a boy lying on a sofa-bed and the boy's feet were still moving," Swingle said. "He saw that the boy had been shot."

Patterson then allegedly pointed at Derrick Orman and told Hughes that he had messed up.

The men fled the scene. Before Hughes was dropped off, Patterson threatened him to keep his mouth shut or he would kill him, Swingle said.

Swingle said after the guilty plea that Hughes has consistently told this story since his arrest.

"He maintained that story that he did not know it was going to be a murder," Swingle said.

But Swingle said that it's still a murder charge, because if someone is killed during a crime, a murder charge is applicable by law. Hughes will serve at least 85 percent of the sentence under truth in sentencing guidelines, Swingle said.

Michelle Lawrence has a court appearance scheduled for May 20.

Several family members of the victims were at the Charleston courthouse Thursday. Two members drove 7-1/2 hours from Cartersville, Ga., to attend the hearing.

Orman's sister, Stephanie Howard, sobbed when the killings were described.

"I feel so much hatred for these people for ripping our family apart," Howard said. "And that's exactly what has happened."

Terry Bettis is Orman's mother. She said she would never get over the killings.

"Somebody tell me what the hell closure is?" she asked, wiping back tears. "My daughter is gone. My two grandsons are gone. What's closure? There is a big hole in my soul that will never be filled."

Public defender Wayne Williams said that his client is making the right decision now.

"No one is happy in there, including my client," Williams said. "It's a tragic situation for everybody, especially those who lost their loved ones. But Mr. Hughes didn't shoot anyone. He thought he was participating in a burglary. It takes a lot of courage and personal strength to come forward and tell the truth."

smoyers@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address:

Charleston, MO

1224 N. Missouri Ave., Cape Girardeau, MO