Thirty years to the day after murdering Lisa Diane Redd, the man who killed her was sentenced to death for the third time.
Circuit Court Judge Brantley Clark imposed the death penalty upon Roderick Orme for the March 3, 1992, murder, sexual battery, and robbery of his former girlfriend after calling her for help while on a drug and alcohol binge.
It is the third time Orme has been sentenced to death for the crime. He was convicted in 1993 and sentenced to death after a 7-5 jury vote. That was sent back for a new sentencing hearing in 2007, and a different jury recommended death by an 11-1 vote.
That was sent back in 2017 for a third sentencing hearing based on a Supreme Court decision calling for 12-0 jury votes for death.
“The defendant does have a date with destiny, we all do,” State Attorney Larry Basford said. “And in this case, I would submit that justice and his date with destiny has been delayed way, way too long.
“We asked Judge Clark to help him meet his maker sooner rather than later, and another step in that direction was taken today.”
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Through the years of new sentencing trials and court dates, Redd’s family has been steadfast in seeing the case through, appearing for hearings and sentencings, and testifying about how the loss of Redd has devastated the family.
“This is truly a case where there was violence, pain, a merciless killing of Lisa Redd,” Basford said. “And she was not just Lisa Redd, she was a mother, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a nurse, and she was trying to do the best that she could to make a living for her and her son.”
Redd’s sister, Carol Atwell, testified before the sentence was imposed, asking Judge Clark to end this for the family.
“Thirty years ago today, my sister was murdered by this defendant,” Atwell said, noting that Redd had done nothing wrong and was trying to help the defendant. “I think that today should be the last time we have to come before anyone, any judge, and have to fight this battle for my sister.”
Lisa Redd was 34 years old and working as a nurse when the defendant, who had been smoking crack cocaine and drinking, called her from a hotel room asking for help. After she arrived, evidence showed, the defendant became enraged, sexually battered and beat her, and then strangled her.
In 2020, as the resentencing neared, Orme filed a motion to waive his right to a jury for resentencing, and his right to present mitigating evidence to the court.
For additional information, contact Mike Cazalas at mike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov, or call 850-381-7454.