Monday in Hamilton County Criminal Court, Robert Rodricus Orr pleaded guilty to the January 2019 murder of Bernice Williams, and attempted first degree murder of Jimmy Moore.

In the plea agreement, Orr also pleaded guilty of employment of a firearm during a dangerous felony. Count 3, possession of a firearm with a prior violent felony, was dismissed. Judge Don Poole approved the plea agreement, and sentenced Orr, who is 31, to 25 years in prison, to be served at 100 percent. The two lesser charges would be served concurrently with the 25-year sentence.

Assistant District Attorney General AnCharlene Davis said the murder occurred on January 29, 2019 at Jimmy Moore’s residence on West Main Street Court. Moore was home and the victim, Williams, was asleep on the couch.  General Davis said that Moore asked Orr to leave. Orr refused and instead locked the door. Orr then shot at Moore, hitting him once in the neck. Moore was able to crawl out of the room and get help, but before he left, he said he saw Orr fire several shots into Williams, who was still lying on the couch. Williams was transported to a local hospital, where she died a short time later. Bernice Williams had four children.

Orr fled to Jasper, Tennessee with his girlfriend shortly after the shooting, but was eventually apprehended by law enforcement at a motel in Hamilton County.  Executive Assistant DA Cameron Williams served as co-counsel for the prosecution.