The Murder of Judy Orr Baldwin
For this case, I watched an episode of On the Case with Paula Zahn. It’s season 20 episode 12, titled ‘Lying in the Darkness.’
A suspicious car accident and death of a wife and mother is called into question due to the evidence.
Background
Judy McWaters Orr Baldwin was described a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Judy had two sons, Josh and Chris from a previous marriage. Judy’s first husband, Wallace Todd Orr had passed away from a motorcycle accident. It was devastating to Judy, but to support her family she started her own cleaning business.
In 2011, Judy met Jamie Baldwin, a former police officer and Chester County police dispatcher. Judy’s sons said they were happy for their mom because they saw how well Jamie treated her.
Judy was described as laid back, loving and kind. Her sons described her as a great mom who had always been there for them.
Judy Orr Baldwin
Judy and Jamie
The Accident
Just before midnight on December 14, 2016, Jamie made a 911 call. He claimed he and his wife had driven off the road, and that his wife was severely injured. Jamie also told the dispatcher that he had attempted CPR, but it wasn’t working.
The Jeep
When the Chester County Sheriff’s Department arrived, Jamie was waiting near the guardrail near the overpass. Judy was found at the front of their Jeep, and was pronounced dead.
The road that they had been driving on was very curvy, and it had been dark rainy and foggy. Jamie claimed that he had been driving at about 55-60mph, and had swerved to avoid a truck that had come into his lane. Jamie said he had hit his head due to the impact, and discovered that Judy had been ejected after he woke up.
Jamie later revealed that he and Judy had been on their way to hospital because Judy had fallen off of a ladder. Judy had a lot of bruising to her face and had a laceration on her forehead.
A Suspicious Story
Judy’s family was very suspicious of Jamie right away. Judy’s son Chris lived right across the street from them. They weren’t sure why Jamie wouldn’t have called them, especially after learning that he was taking Judy to the hospital.
Judy’s niece, Jesse, said that the closest hospital was only 2 miles away from their house. Apparently Judy had never liked that hospital, so Jamie decided to take her to Piedmont Medical Center, about 30 miles away. Jesse also contacted Jamie, and said his story seemed rehearsed and he lacked emotion.
Jamie was questioned at the police station. He said he and Judy had picked up dinner around 7:30pm. After dinner, he was preparing to go on a motorcycle trip the next morning, and Judy wanted to put up Christmas decorations.
Jamie said he was in the garage, came back inside, and found Judy had fallen off a small ladder. He said Judy’s head was bleeding, and told her that she needed stitches. Jamie said Judy was alert while they were in the car, and that she told him she loved him.
One of Their Own
The police went to the Baldwin home to investigate the fall off the ladder. The lead investigator observed that there was some blood on the mantle and floor. The ladder had fallen into the Christmas tree. They believed that Judy had hit her head on the mantle as she lost her balance and fell.
Judy’s autopsy raised some concerns. Judy had several lacerations to her head and massive internal bleeding. The pathologist couldn’t determine whether or not it was a homicide or accident. Another autopsy was requested, and this time, it was performed by Dr. Janice Ross.
Dr. Ross’ findings were that Judy had several lacerations to the right side of her forehead, and bruising to the entire left side. She ruled that the skull had been fractured, but wanted to do more investigating before she ruled it to be a homicide or accident. She didn’t believe that Judy had died from a fall off a ladder or a car accident.
The Chester County Sheriff’s Department had ruled the case as an accident and closed the case very quickly. Many believed it was because Jamie had been a police officer and dispatcher for years.
The prosecutor, Candice Lively, wanted to bring SLED (South Carolina Law Enforcement Division) in to investigate. However, she learned that the Chester County Sheriff, Alex Underwood would’ve had to invite them in.
The Motive
A few weeks later, a house was set on fire. The house belonged to a woman named Teri King. Teri was Jamie’s new girlfriend, and had belonged to the same motorcycle club as Jamie and Judy.
Teri told the police that she had broken up with Jamie, and that she believed he had set the fire. There had been rumors that Jamie and Teri’s relationship started before Judy’s death.
The fire had been set in another county, so SLED was invited in to investigate. They quickly ruled that the fire had been set intentionally.
They also had discovered that Jamie had taken out a life insurance policy on Judy the summer before she died. He had collected on the policy, but it didn’t help his financial situation as he couldn’t even pay for Judy’s burial.
After the fire, the Chester County Sheriff’s Department finally agreed to take another look at Judy’s case. This was 9 months after Judy had died. They invited in SLED and the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
The Evidence
The South Carolina Highway Patrol reenacted and videotaped the path where the car accident had taken place. There had been no evidence of another vehicle drifting onto the other side of the road. The Jeep had left behind almost perfect tire impressions, which was odd for someone going 55-60mph.
The black box from the Jeep was examined. The data revealed that Jamie had been going about 15mph, and had driven down the embankment to stage the scene.
At the Baldwin home, it was clear that Jamie had been able to clean up in the 9 months since Judy died. However, about 10 feet up on the ceiling, there was some blood that he had missed.
The police had also found a heavy stocking holder that matched the lacerations found on Judy’s head and above her eye. Judy’s DNA was found to have been on the stocking holder.
It was enough evidence for Dr. Ross to rule that Judy’s death was a homicide. It’s believed that Judy had confronted Jamie about his affair, and that he struck her with the stocking holder. Jamie then put Judy’s body into the car while she was dying or already dead, and drove to the area to stage the scene.
The Conviction
Jamie was arrested and charged with murder. He claimed that he would have never killed Judy, and stuck to his story.
In November 2019, Jamie again stuck to his story at trial. The jury found him guilty, and he was sentenced to life in prison.
Jamie’s mugshot
In May 2019, the former sheriff, Alex Underwood was suspended by the governor. He was also indicted on unrelated corruption charges.
Former Chester Co. Sheriff Alex Underwood
FINAL THOUGHTS
I believe that Jamie killed Judy. The evidence just didn’t match up with her falling off a small ladder or a car accident. Whether the motive was his affair or money, Judy didn’t deserve to be killed. Judy would now be a grandmother to 9 grandchildren. She’s missing out on their lives as well as the lives of her sons and niece. It’s absolutely heartbreaking.
Sources
https://thecinemaholic.com/judy-orr-baldwin-murder-how-did-she-die-who-killed-her/
https://www.cn2.com/former-chester-county-dispatcher-sentenced-to-life-in-prison-for-wifes-murder/
https://www.blythewoodonline.com/2019/11/jury-finds-baldwin-guilty-of-murder/
