From: Tennessee’s 31st Judicial District – Chris Stanford
On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, a Warren County jury returned a guilty verdict of Second Degree Murder against Defendant, Marty Lynn Judd, bringing resolution to a case that remained unsolved for nearly a decade after the murder of Rebecca Mooneyham on August 28th, 2009. Assistant District Attorney Matt Colvard and Deputy District Attorney General Ed Ryan represented the State of Tennessee. Marty Lynn Judd (“Judd”) was represented by Attorney, Amanda Gentry. These attorneys all did an excellent job trying this case in an effective, professional and ethical manner.
Mrs. Mooneyham was fatally shot while lounging in her living room recliner, a place in which all of us should feel comfortable and safe within our own homes. The fatal gunshot was fired from a somewhat unique Mosin-Nagant rifle. The case went cold for years following Ms. Mooneyham’s tragic and senseless death in 2009, despite continuing efforts by law enforcement officials to find the person responsible.
Tennessee’s 31st Judicial District Attorney Chris Stanford
A major breakthrough in the investigation came years later when now-Sheriff, Jackie Matheny, Jr., Investigator Stuart Colwell and Special Agent Elizabeth Williams, secured and executed a search warrant for Judd’s residence. The search uncovered multiple Russian-made rifles, including several Mosin-Nagants, as well as matching military ammunition consistent with the type used in the tragic shooting death of Mrs. Mooneyham.
Further evidence at trial established that Judd’s motive for the murder stemmed from a juvenile case that had been closed 10 months prior. The defendant allegedly believed a juvenile Mooneyham’s son — had stolen several of Judd’s dirt bikes. Mrs. Mooneyham represented her son in the juvenile court proceedings against the theft allegations by Judd. The juvenile judge dismissed the case citing lack of proof of intent to steal. This ruling caused Judd to become humiliated and angry. Judd was yelling and acting unruly as he left the juvenile courtroom following his perceived humiliation. Assistant District Attorney Matt Colvard argued at trial that the unresolved grievance between Judd and Mrs. Mooneyham was Judd’s motivation to plan for and eventually kill Mrs. Mooneyham.
Evidence at trial came from the defendant’s son, Dennis Judd. Dennis Judd explained to investigators that his father told Dennis Judd that Marty Judd hid in the bushes and fatally shot Rebecca Mooneyham. Judd then offered his son to shoot a third party that had offended Denis Judd and by extension, Marty Judd. Dennis Judd’s testimony to the jury was emotional because he loves his father and felt like he was betraying Judd by taking the stand to testify truthfully about Judd confessing to the tragic murder of Rebecca Mooneyham. I am thankful that Dennis Judd did the right thing, overcame his natural tendency to protect his father and gave the jury a critical piece of evidence upon which this prosecution relied. Dennis Judd’s testimony combined with the physical evidence recovered from the defendant’s home, was instrumental in bringing this case to a guilty verdict, at the jury trial.
Following the guilty verdicts, Marty Lynn Judd will be sentenced by Circuit Court Judge, Bart Stanley, on December 11, 2024. The State will seek the maximum sentence available under the law for the Second-Degree Murder conviction, 25 years. The minimum possible sentence on the Second-Degree Murder conviction is 15 years. Whatever sentence Judge Stanley deems appropriate, will be served by Judd in prison. Judd is not eligible for parole or early release. The Unlawful Possession of Prohibited Weapon (Fully Automatic Weapon) conviction carries a sentence of 1-2 years. Again, we will seek the maximum sentence available for this conviction, two years.
The prosecution is deeply grateful to the jury for their service over three long days and their thoughtful deliberations. While I still believe the evidence supported a premeditated first-degree murder conviction, I wholeheartedly respect the jury’s verdict, and those 12 jurors made it possible for Justice to be served. We would also like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated work of the law enforcement officers involved in this case from the Warren County Sheriff’s Department and Tennessee Bureau of Investigations. Without the tireless efforts of these law enforcement agencies working closely with my office, Justice would not have been possible for Mrs. Mooneyham and her surviving loved ones.
We also want to acknowledge the extraordinary patience and resilience of the Mooneyham family throughout this long and difficult process. My prosecution team again extends its deepest sympathies for their unspeakable loss. On the other hand, the Mooneyham family has our gratitude for their strength and courage as they patiently waited for Justice to be served. While nothing can ever truly heal their tremendous loss, I am hopeful that this guilty verdict provides them with a sense of closure. Please join my office and all of local law enforcement in praying for the Mooneyham family. Thank you.