A St. Louis jury deliberated 17 hours before finding Tim Norman (left) guilty on all counts in his murder-for-hire trial on Friday.
Norman, 43, of Jackson, Mississippi, was charged with masterminding the death of his nephew, 21-year-old Andre Montgomery (right) on March 14, 2016.
The “Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s” reality TV star was charged with conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, murder-for-hire resulting in death and mail fraud.
Three others, including former stripper Terica Ellis, pleaded guilty for their roles in the murder, according to KSDK.
Norman allegedly took out a life insurance policy on Montgomery for $450,000 in 2014. Prosecutors say he had hoped to collect the life insurance to pay off his IRS debt.
“He is the architect of this plan, causing, encouraging and aiding this scheme,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Gwendolyn Caroll told the jury.
Norman took the witness stand in his own defense on Thursday. He cried and told the jury he mentored many children, including his nephew.
Norman is the son of Sweetie Pie’s owner Robbie Montgomery. The victim was Miss Robbie’s grandson.
Both Norman and Andre Montgomery appeared in episodes of Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s.
Miss Robbie sued Norman in 2016, claiming his operation of three Sweetie Pie’s restaurants was copyright infringement.
Norman’s sentencing is set for December 15.
