The Murders of Terrance and Alisa McGhee
For this case, I watched an episode of Forbidden: Dying For Love. It’s season 4 episode 3, titled ‘Be My Savior.’
The murders of a seemingly happy couple rocks a small Tennessee suburb.
Background
Terrance McGhee was 60 years old at the time of his death, and his wife, Alisa, was 41. Also living with them was Terrance’s daughter, Amanda, who was 15 at the time. The McGhee’s lived in the small town of Solway, Tennessee, a suburb of Knoxville.
Terrance was known for being strict with his daughter, and Alisa was more lenient, wanting Amanda to experience being a teenager.
Alisa, Terrance, and Amanda, in an earlier photo.
A Forbidden Relationship
In May 2007, Amanda was somehow able to talk her parents into attending a party at her friend, Rebecca Duggan’s home.
While she was at the party, Amanda was introduced to a 21-year-old named Andrew Mann. Andrew was described as a social outcast, and soon took a liking to the much younger, Amanda.
Over the next several weeks, Amanda snuck around to be with Andrew. She lied to her parents about where she was going, and who she’d be with.
Amanda and Andrew confided in each other about their families. Amanda told Andrew that her father was abusive, and that she wanted to get away.
Andrew proposed to Amanda, which she accepted. Amanda also told Andrew that she was pregnant, and that Terrance would kill her if he found out.
They did end up running away together several times. On one occasion, they were gone for about 3-4 days. Terrance and Alisa went to the police to report Amanda missing.
Amanda was eventually returned home. Terrance met them in the driveway, with a weapon in hand. Terrance took pictures of Andrew’s license plate, and eventually found out his real age. They told Andrew that they would turn him in for statutory rape if he ever saw Amanda again.
The Plan
The threats didn’t stop Andrew and Amanda from sneaking around together.
The two began to plot the murders. Amanda told Andrew that it would be the only way that they could be together, and have the baby.
Amanda was able to steal Terrance’s gun. She put it in a bag, and gave it to her friend, Rebecca, to give it to Andrew. Rebecca discovered what the two were planning to do, and she tried to warn the McGhee’s. Amanda was able to convince her that it was just a joke.
Andrew confided in another friend named Chris Kirkland, and even asked him for advice on how to kill Amanda’s parents. Chris wanted nothing to do with it, and became upset.
The Murders
On Friday, June 29, 2007, Amanda called Andrew after Alisa had left for work. Terrance was asleep, as he often stayed up late, and slept in until about noon.
According to the show, Andrew was nervous, and told Amanda that he wasn’t sure he could do it. Amanda told Andrew to “do it for the baby in her tummy.”
Andrew then shot Terrance while he was asleep. Terrance didn’t die right away, and made noises for several hours. Andrew and Amanda left to get food, and when they returned he was still making noises. Eventually, Terrance did pass away. After he died, Andrew contacted his friend, Chris, who went to the house, and saw the body.
Alisa returned home several hours later. Andrew was waiting for her, and shot her twice.
The Discovery
Alisa had been planning on going to her sister’s house after work on June 29. Her sister tried contacting her on the 29th, and on the 30th. There was no answer.
On June 30, Amanda and Andrew, returned to the McGhee’s home, believing that the bodies would leave an odor. Instead, they stole Alisa’s credit card, and went shopping.
On Sunday, July 1, a friend went over to the McGhee’s to do a welfare check. He looked in through the window, and saw Alisa’s body in the kitchen.
The police arrived just a few minutes later. Amanda’s friend, Rebecca, told the police that she knew who killed the McGhee’s.
The police were able to use cell phone data to locate Andrew’s phone. He and Amanda were attending one of his friend’s barbecues. They were arrested just a few hours after the bodies were discovered.
The Convictions
After Andrew was arrested, he took sole responsibility for the murders. He told the police that Amanda was threatening to kill herself if she couldn’t get away from her parents.
At his trial, Andrew’s story changed. He said Amanda made him do it, and that she said, “baby, do it for us.” Andrew told the court that he couldn’t say no to her.
Chris testified against Andrew. He said he knew that Andrew had been planning to kill the McGhee’s, and even asked him for advice on where to shoot Terrance. Chris didn’t serve any time for being an accessory after the fact.
Andrew Mann was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole until after 51 years.
While Amanda was in juvenile detention, Amanda wrote a letter to Andrew. She said she was sorry for making him do it, and that she’d visit him when she got out at 18 or 21 years old. However, the prosecution had different plans for Amanda.
Amanda McGhee was sentenced to 25 years for Alisa’s murder, and 20 years for Terrance’s murder. The sentences were to run consecutively.
Amanda McGhee
Andrew Mann in court
Other
Before her trial, Amanda gave birth to a child that she named Serenity. The baby was put up for adoption, and has never had contact with Amanda.
In 2018, Amanda petitioned to have her sentence reduced. According to My Crime Library, she won’t be eligible for release until 2049.
Andrew has also appealed his sentence, but it was denied.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Amanda was obviously a manipulative person. She manipulated her parents, her friends, and Andrew. Amanda was also a liar, and someone that liked attention. She lied that she was pregnant on several occasions, and often talked about her relations with different boys.
I’m not sure if Terrance did abuse Amanda, but according to the show, there didn’t seem to be an evidence that he did. Andrew was manipulated, but still planned and carried out that plan to kill two people. Both Amanda and Andrew deserve the sentences that they received.
Sources
https://mycrimelibrary.com/amanda-mcghee-teen-killer-murders-2/
https://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/convicted-murderer-andrew-mann-loses-appeal/229707848
