Former reality TV star Tim Norman convicted in murder-for-hire plot of his nephew

Former reality TV celebrity Tim Norman has been found guilty of the death of his nephew. The 43-year-old TV star was found guilty by a federal jury in the death of Andre Montgomery, 21, which happened way back in march 2016. Tim Norman and Montgomery starred in a long-running show, "Welcome to Sweetie Pie's". The show was about soul food restaurants owned by a family in the St. Louis area.

What was argued by the prosecutor against Tim Norman?

The argument of the prosecutors during the trial was that Tim Norman was accountable for hiring two people to kill his nephew Montgomery in a murder-for-hire plot on March 14, 2016. They said that Norman tried to cash a life insurance policy worth $450,000 that was taken for Montgomery months before his death.


Angie Danis, Assistant US Attorney, argued that the whole plan was orchestrated by Tim Norman, claiming that he gave $10,000 to Terica Ellis, an exotic dancer, to lure his nephew to come to the place of murder. Prosecutors said that Tim also paid five thousand dollars to Travell Anthony Hill to shoot his nephew.

After the verdict on Tim Norman

After Tim Norman was found guilty, U.S Attorney Sayler Fleming stated that Norman’s plan was "relatively straightforward" and that his crimes were driven by greed. He added that the evidence against Tim Norman was "voluminous and overwhelming". He further added that the life insurance of $450,000 on Andre Montgomery was “fraudulently obtained” without the deceased’s knowledge.

Norman said to jurors that to his nephew, he was a "father figure" and that he tried his best to show “right from wrong” to him and at the same time "tried to be a friend".

After the verdict, the defense attorney of Tim Norman, Michael Leonard, said that Norman being accountable for the murder of Montgomery was a theory made up by prosecutors. He added that he and Tim were “extremely surprised” by the outcome of this prosecution. He also described the testimony given by Hills and Ellis against Tim Norman as "extremely non-credible".

Up to life in prison will be faced by Norman, and a sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 15.

FAQ:

How many seasons to Welcome to Sweetie Pie?
There was a total of 9 seasons.

Did sweetie pies get Cancelled?
The show ended on the Oprah Winfrey Network on June 9, 2018, and premiered on October 15, 2011.