Trial date set for suspect in Cape Girardeau triple-murder case

A suspect in an Oct. 27 Cape Girardeau triple murder whose case was moved to Mississippi County last month received a trial date Tuesday before Circuit Court Judge David Dolan.

The case against Samuel "Ray Ray" Hughes, who is charged with three counts of second-degree murder, burglary and attempted arson, will be heard before a jury the week of Jan. 17.

Hughes is connected with the shooting of Jamie Lynn Orman, her unborn child and her 15-year-old son Derrick.

Michelle Lawrence, 39, allegedly had plotted to kill her husband, John Lawrence. Lawrence shared a home with Orman at 1224 N. Missouri Ave. He was not home at the time of the crime. Michelle Lawrence is charged with a single count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.

The case against the main suspect in the murders, Ryan Patterson, is also pending in court in Cape Girardeau County.

A judge is expected to hear the first round of legal motions in Patterson's case March 31.

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

ehevern@semissourian.com

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