The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department seeks help from the public to identify witnesses who might have information about the killing of Andre Montgomery, whose murder was allegedly ordered by his uncle and “Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s” star Tim Norman.
Montgomery was killed in March 2016. Earlier this month, Norman, whose real name is James Timothy Norman, was accused of being behind a murder-for-hire plot that led to the 21-year-old’s death. Montgomery was shot and killed in the 3900 block of Natural Bridge Avenue on March 14, 2016.
Credit: Via Facebook
Credit: Via Facebook
The 41-year-old is charged with conspiracy to use interstate commerce facilities (cellphone) in the commission of a murder-for-hire and conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud.
A spokesperson from the police department sent a reminder that they’re still looking for suspects and witnesses in the case, according to NBC news affiliate 5 On Your Side.
Background on what feds say happened
Federal authorities allege Norman obtained several life insurance policies on Montgomery, his nephew, in November 2014. Norman was the sole beneficiary on the policies, according to People. Those policies include a life insurance policy for $250,000 through Americo Insurance Company, as well as two different policies through Foresters Insurance for $200,000 and $250,000, according to the complaint.
In 2015, he attempted to obtain a replacement policy through Foresters Insurance but was denied, according to the complaint.
“The applications of all these policies contained numerous false statements regarding Montgomery’s income, occupation, and family history,” the complaint reads.
Days prior to Montgomery’s killing, Terica Ellis told Montgomery she would travel from Memphis, Tennessee, to St. Louis to visit him. On March 13, 2016, a day before Montgomery was killed, Norman flew from Los Angeles to St. Louis.
The following day, Ellis and Norman communicated using newly activated temporary phones. Ellis also used the temporary phone to communicate with Montgomery and determine his location. Once Montgomery’s location was discovered, Ellis placed a call to Norman. About 8 p.m. that same day, Montgomery was shot and killed. Ellis’ phone location services place her in the area of the murder at the time of the shooting.
Norman has a criminal past
According to his biography in the “Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s” section on the OWN website, Norman spent 10 years in prison on robbery charges. He was charged for misdemeanor assault charges in Harris County, Texas, in 2018, after he was accused of punching a former employee in the face, according to Clarion Ledger.
In 2019, a Houston-based property company sued Norman for unpaid rent totaling over $254,000. In Jackson, Mississippi, he was also accused of owning 100,000 in rent to owners of a building where he runs one of the Sweetie Pie’s locations. Norman said at the time he hadn’t paid due to issues with the building.
Norman, along with his mother Robbie Montgomery, is an owner of the St. Louis-based Sweetie Pie’s, a soul food restaurant franchise. They both starred on their OWN reality television show about the restaurant for several years.
Montgomery has not commented on her son’s arrest. At the time of her grandson’s death, Montgomery said in an episode of their OWN show that she felt someone who knew Andre Montgomery commissioned the killing.
Anyone with information is urged to call SLMPD’s homicide division directly at 314-444-5371 or anyone with a tip who wants to remain anonymous and is interested in a reward can contact CrimeStoppers at 866-371-8477.
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