Sean P. Costello U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama
Four individuals were sentenced for their roles in a murder-for-hire plot, as well as other related crimes. On January 10, 2025, Judy Owen, aged 61, and Mitzy Smith, aged 54, both from Fairhope, Alabama, were found guilty by a federal jury. Their charges included conspiracy to commit murder for hire, transfer of a firearm in furtherance of a felony, and murder for hire.
Court documents and trial evidence revealed that Smith and Owen conspired with others to contract a hitman to kill another person. Co-defendants Rebecca Murphy, Sandra Grimes, and Jessica Montgomery had previously pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy to commit murder for hire. Additionally, the sisters were convicted of transferring a firearm to another person in furtherance of committing a felony.
On May 5, 2025, U.S. Chief District Judge Jeffrey U. Beaverstock delivered the sentences: Judy Owen received 120 months in prison; Sandra Grimes was sentenced to 70 months; Jessica Montgomery got 60 months; while Mitzy Smith was sentenced to time served. Earlier on January 27, 2025, Rebecca Murphy was sentenced to 60 months in prison.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello from the Southern District of Alabama.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation into this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica S. Terrill and Tandice H. Blackwood handled the prosecution on behalf of the United States.
