Suspected accomplice in Cape Girardeau homicide asks for time to hire lawyer

Samuel R. "Ray Ray" Hughes asked for and was granted more time to find a defense lawyer in his initial appearance in a Cape Girardeau County courtroom Monday on three counts of second-degree murder, one count of first-degree burglary and one count of attempted arson in the shooting death of Jamie Lynn Orman, her 15-year-old son Derrick and her unborn child.

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.

msanders@semissourian.com

388-3652

rkeller@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent addresses:

1224 N. Missouri Ave., Cape Girardeau, MO

100 Court St., Jackson, MO