Patterson wants trial moved in Cape Girardeau killings

The man accused of first-degree murder in the October shooting of a pregnant woman and her 15-year-old son in Cape Girardeau wants his case moved to another county.

Ryan T. Patterson, who could face the death penalty for the killings of Jamie Lynn Orman, 30, and her son, Derrick Orman, in the morning hours of Oct. 27, sought a change of venue Monday when he appeared before Cape Girardeau County Circuit Judge William Syler. In response, Cape Girardeau County assistant prosecuting attorney Jack Koester asked Syler to use a state law allowing the jury to be picked in another county and brought to Cape Girardeau County to hear the case.

When Patterson's attorney, public defender David Kenyon, said he would work with prosecutors to select the county, Syler told both he would consider the idea if they could agree, Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle said.

Patterson, 28, and co-defendant Michelle R. Lawrence, 39, appeared before Syler for arraignment. Each defendant pleaded not guilty.

Patterson is charged with three counts of first-degree murder, three counts of armed criminal action, and a single count each of burglary and attempted arson.

Patterson is accused of entering the home owned jointly by Michelle Lawrence and her estranged husband, John Lawrence, early in the morning of Oct. 27 and shooting Jamie Lynn and Derrick Orman in a basement bedroom. Michelle Lawrence is accused of conspiracy for working with Patterson on a plot to kill John Lawrence and collect up to $400,000 in insurance payouts.

Syler ordered Patterson to return to court Dec. 21 to decide where the trial will be held or if bringing a jury to Cape Girardeau County is acceptable, Koester said.

The murder counts are for the deaths of Jamie Orman, her unborn child and Derrick Orman.

Lawrence, represented by public defender Christopher Davis, is charged with a single count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. She sought a continuance in her case, but that won't change the deadline for Lawrence to ask for a change of venue or change of judge as well, Swingle said.

Michelle Lawrence will be back in court Jan. 4.

Bringing a jury to Cape Girardeau will be cheaper for taxpayers and easier on the families and potential witnesses, Swingle said.

Swingle must decide soon if he intends to seek the death penalty for Patterson. He said Monday that he is still receiving police reports on the case and will not make a decision until he has had a chance to review all the available evidence.

A third defendant, Samuel R. "Ray Ray" Hughes, 25, is accused of three counts of second-degree murder, burglary and attempted arson. He is accused of accompanying Patterson to the Lawrence home at 1224 N. Missouri Ave., entering the garage as part of a burglary and then acting as lookout while Patterson shot the Ormans.

Hughes is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Dec. 22 in front of Associate Circuit Judge Gary Kamp.

rkeller@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent addresses:

1224 Missouri Ave., Cape Girardeau, MO

1 Barton Square, Jackson, MO