After six months of suspense, former Sweetie Pie star Tim Norman learned his destiny on Thursday morning. He received a life term in federal prison for murder-for-hire against his nephew, Andre Montgomery Jr., and two counts of mail fraud. The punishment came after a week-long trial in which Norman was found guilty on all counts in September 2020.
Before the allegations, Norman and his family were well-known for the Oprah Winfrey Network reality program Welcome to Sweetie Pies, which ran from 2011 to 2018. According to court records, he took out a $450,000 life insurance policy on Montgomery in 2014, which sparked an inquiry by authorities, who connected it to Montgomery’s death in 2016 at 28.
Before Sentencing
Before sentencing, defense attorneys made numerous attempts to keep their client from receiving a life sentence: they submitted various arguments, including one analysis that focused on Norman’s troubled childhood, as well as letters written by supporters such as Robbie Montgomery (Tim’s mother) begging Judge John Ross for mercy; however, these pleas fell short when Ross denied any new trials or acquittals due to the clear evidence of Norman’s guilt.
The Punishment
Three family members presented victim impact statements before the sentence, and Norman’s mother was spotted outside the courthouse hugging loved ones. After hearing from Karen Harris (Montgomery’s aunt), who said, “when Andre died, a part of us died along with him,” as well as Darren Griggs (brother) and Michell Griggs (mother), Ross sentenced Norman to life in prison on two murder-for-hire counts and 240 months for mail fraud – this being Michelle’s desired outcome; she asked for maximum punishment saying that when her son passed away, it felt like she was given a life sentence too – now asking Norman to live out his own.
After the Sentence
After the verdict, Montgomery’s family rejoiced outside the court, wearing shirts that said “Justice For Our Dre,” and Michelle recalled what it was like to take the stand while seeing Tim in the eyes: “I wanted him to know that I knew he did it from the beginning.” Despite their joy, defense counsel intends to file an appeal, which may take a year to make its way through the system before any modifications are made, if at all. Travell Anthony Hill was sentenced to 32 years in jail in October 2022 after admitting guilty participation in shooter Waiel Rebhi Yaghnam got three years in January 2023 for conspiracy conduct mail wire fraud Terica Ellis followed suit, getting the same sentence a month later but claimed previously forced prostitution and her young age as factors in the judge’s decision.
Despite the duration of the trial and the efforts of so many people involved, Andre Montgomery Jr. received justice. Tim Norman will now spend the rest of his life in jail for his horrible act, a monument to those who never give up in their pursuit of truth and responsibility.
