Naman Shrestha
In the episode titled ‘The Bitter Truth’ of Investigation Discovery’s ‘On the Case With Paula Zahn,’ the primary focus is on the tragic and horrific killing of 21-year-old Andre Montgomery in St. Louis, Missouri, in March 2016. Grandson of the reality star, Robbie Montgomery, Andre was also considered a celebrity. Thus, his sudden demise shook the entire community to its core. As the detectives dug deeper into the case, they uncovered a shocking truth that led them to a murder-for-hire scheme.
Andre Montgomery Was in the Middle of a Recording Session When He Was Killed
Andre Lawon “Dre” Montgomery Jr. was born on October 14, 1994, in San Diego, California, to a set of beloved parents — Andre Lawon Montgomery Sr. and Michell Griggs. After relocating to Lubbock, Texas, alongside his parents and siblings — Darren, Darius, Kalyn, A’ja, and Keyona Griggs — Andre attended Estacado High School. However, he graduated from McClure North High School in St. Louis, Missouri. Being the grandson of Robbie Montgomery, who featured in OWN’s ‘Welcome to Sweetie Pies,’ his high school graduation ceremony was a part of the show’s segment in 2013. Andre featured in the reality show on various other occasions. The father of one was deeply passionate about music and had been pursuing a career in the industry by making sporadic songs and beats.
As a matter of fact, he was in the middle of a recording session when fate unexpectedly intervened and cut his life short. Around 8 pm on March 14, 2016, 21-year-old Andre was recording a rap track at a home recording studio in the 3900 block of Natural Bridge Avenue in St. Louis’ Greater Ville neighborhood when he was ambushed. When the authorities rushed to the crime scene, they found Andre inside the home with multiple gunshot wounds, which was the cause of his death. Another 22-year-old man was found in a critical condition in the property and was rushed to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries. Thus, a homicide investigation was immediately launched to apprehend the perpetrator responsible for Andre’s killing.
One of Andre Montgomery’s Relatives Was Responsible For His Murder
The police revealed that the second man, who was injured, ran upstairs with a gun to the room where Andre Montgomery was recording a rap track when he heard gunshots. While trying to assist him, the suspect shot him, too. As part of the murder investigation, the detectives dug deeper into Andre’s personal life and learned that his uncle, James Timothy “Tim” Norman, had reportedly obtained a $450,000 life insurance policy on Andre in 2014, making him the sole beneficiary after his demise. In the days leading up to the homicide, Tim hired Terica Ellis to lure his nephew to the murder site for $10,000 and Travell Anthony Hill to carry out the shooting for $5,000. The day before the murder, on March 13, 2016, Tim flew from his LA home to St. Louis, Missouri.
Before the murder, Hill met with Tim, who told him that he wanted Andre dead. After Terica learned Andre’s location, she relayed the same to the hired hitman, who then fatally shot the 21-year-old man using a .380-caliber handgun, which he disposed of along with his phone. Terica’s cell phone records placed her in the area of the murder scene at the time of the shooting. About a week later, Tim contacted the life insurance company and tried to obtain the money that he was the beneficiary of. After carrying out the investigation for a few years, the detectives finally arrested Tim Norman on August 18, 2020, and charged him with conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, in connection with Andre’s killing.
Tim Norman is Currently Incarcerated at a Missouri Prison
Nearly two years later, around September 2022, James Timothy “Tim” Norman stood trial for the murder of Andre Montgomery. By then, the accomplices, Travell Anthony Hill and Terica Ellis, had pleaded guilty to taking part in the murder scheme with Tim. During the trial, both of them testified against Tim, claiming that the defendant had hired them to kill Andre and take out the life insurance policy money. In his defense, Tim told the jury that he helped Andre move to St. Louis and supported him financially, serving as a father figure in his life. He claimed that the reason behind him taking out the life insurance policy on Andre was to help out a longtime customer of the family restaurants.
In the end, the jury deliberated for about 17 hours in the span of three days and found Tim guilty of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. In October 2022, Hill was sentenced to 32 years in prison for his involvement in the crime. Meanwhile, Terica was sentenced to three years in prison. A fourth individual, Waiel “Wally” Rebhi Yaghnam, also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and wire fraud in the case, for which he was sentenced to three years in prison. A few months later, on March 2, 2023, Tim’s sentencing hearing took place.
Although the convict refused to take the stand and speak on his behalf, his attorneys submitted a bunch of letters from family and friends, including his mother, Robbie Montgomery, who asked for leniency. Robbie wrote, “I don’t know whether Tim did what he was accused and convicted of. He is still the baby that I bore, and I love him as every mother involved loves their child.” Ultimately, Tim was sentenced to life in prison for orchestrating the murder of his nephew, Andre Montgomery. Despite him and his defense counsel filing an appeal, his conviction and sentence were upheld by the Court of Appeals. As of today, the 46-year-old killer is serving his sentence at Hazelton USP in Bruceton Mills, West Virginia.
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