Jennifer Hyatte

Case information

Name: Jennifer Hyatte Born: 11 February 1974 Known role: Shooter; former prison nurse; wife of George Hyatte

STATUS and sentencing

Jennifer Hyatte pleaded guilty to first-degree murder. On September 17, 2007, she was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Her plea deal included guilty pleas to attempted first-degree murder and facilitating the escape of her husband, George Hyatte. The sentencing on the different counts was described as running concurrently. She did not allocute to her crime. District Attorney General Russell Johnson read a statement of facts in the case agreed upon by the defense.

The plea agreement was described as allowing Hyatte to avoid the death penalty. As part of the plea agreement, she agreed to testify against George Hyatte if his case went to trial. Her testimony was described as not being required because George Hyatte subsequently did not contest the charges.

The offence

On August 9, 2005, Tennessee Department of Correction transport officer Wayne “Cotton” Morgan was fatally shot three times by Jennifer Hyatte during a court hearing in Kingston, Tennessee. Another correctional officer, Larry “Porky” Harris, was wounded.

During the incident, it was stated that Hyatte’s husband, George Hyatte, pleaded guilty to a robbery charge in the courthouse right before Hyatte pulled out a gun and started shooting. Hyatte was described as storming out of the courthouse after the shootings and getting into a vehicle with her husband, after which police announced they believed she was driving a gold Chevrolet Venture with license plate number GFU-155.

Wayne “Cotton” Morgan’s family set up an enlarged photo of Morgan near the front of the gallery at Hyatte’s plea hearing.

Verbatim statements connected to the shooting

“Shoot him! [the officer]”

“I jumped out and had the gun in my hand and George seen what I did and said, 'Oh, s---, Jen,' and the officer grabbed at the gun and I shot him,” Jennifer Hyatte wrote in a letter to relatives.

Witnesses said at the time they heard George Hyatte say: “Shoot him.”

Investigation and events following the shooting

Flight and vehicle information

Witnesses claimed that after the shooting Jennifer Hyatte got into a Ford Explorer, which was later found abandoned. Police later announced they believed she was driving a gold Chevrolet Venture with the license plate number GFU-155. It was also stated that George Hyatte got into the Ford Explorer that Hyatte was driving.

On August 10, the Chevrolet Venture used was found in the parking lot of an Econo Lodge in Erlanger, Kentucky, but neither Hyatte was found.

Capture

On August 10, 2005, around 10:00pm, the Hyattes were captured at an America’s Best Value Inn in Columbus, Ohio. The couple was captured after a cab driver named Mike Wagers drove them from Erlanger, Kentucky, to the hotel.

The Hyattes reportedly said they were attending an Amway convention. Wagers later called police and SWAT team members; SWAT captured them. It was reported that weapons were found in the hotel.

Verbatim statements connected to the arrest

Deputy U.S. Marshal Nikki Ralston told the hotel occupants:

“Hey, Jennifer.”

Ralston directed the couple to exit:

“You need to get George, both of you need to exit the hotel room and follow the directions of the officers who will be to your immediate right,”

Motel guest Robin Penn said: Jennifer Hyatte was limping as she left the room with her hands up. Penn also said George Hyatte came out with his shirt pulled over his head, walked backward toward the stairwell, got on his knees and was handcuffed. Penn stated:

“They really didn't show any emotion at all,”

John Bolen said Jennifer Hyatte asked officers not to hurt her husband:

“She was hollering in to him, 'Baby, baby, it'll be OK! It'll be OK!'”

Bolen also said that Hyatte was concerned for her husband: the couple was being handled by law enforcement officers after being surrounded.

Trial and plea proceedings

September 17, 2007 hearing

On September 17, 2007, Jennifer Hyatte pleaded guilty to first-degree murder. She was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Criminal Court Judge Eugene Eblen sentenced Hyatte to life for first-degree murder, 15 years for attempted first-degree murder of another guard whom she wounded, and three years for facilitating her husband’s escape. The sentences were described as running concurrently. Hyatte was pictured appearing in white prison overalls with handcuffs and ankle shackles at the Roane County courthouse where she had been accused of killing Wayne “Cotton” Morgan. Fifteen uniformed correction officers attended the hearing.

District Attorney General Russell Johnson stated that the plea agreement was agreed upon by families involved. Two people took the stand to read family impact statements to Hyatte, including Dean Harris, wife of corrections officer Larry Harris, and Officer Wayne “Cotton” Morgan’s son, Dennis Morgan.

Verbatim statements at the plea hearing

Dean Harris repeatedly asked Hyatte whether “36 hours of freedom” was worth it. Hyatte sat still, with tears, and nodded.

Dennis Morgan told Hyatte:

“Your choices caused my sister and I to be without a father,”
“Your choices caused my mom to be without her companion.”

Hyatte addressed the victim’s families and said:

“Most of all, I want to give my deepest apologies to the families,”
“I just want you to know that I am truly sorry. There's no way to make up for what I've done. I can't ask you to forgive me because what I've done is unforgivable. I don't deserve it. ”

After the court proceedings ended, Cotton Morgan’s widow, Viann, said:

“We just hope that she meant she was really sorry,”

Hyatte also made a statement at sentencing in which she said:

“I can't ask you to forgive me, because what I've done is unforgivable and I don't deserve it. I just want to tell you all how truly sorry I am for what happened. It will live in the core of my heart and soul for eternity.”

Other details

Incarceration information reported

According to the Tennessee Department of Corrections website, Hyatte’s TOMIS (Tennessee Offender Management Information System) number was 00394869. Her imprisonment began on 10 August 2005. She was incarcerated at the Tennessee Prison for Women in Nashville.

Diary and letters

Hyatte wrote about the crime in a 34-page diary titled “A Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde.” Authorities found the collection of letters and notes in her Ohio jail cell after she was sent back to Tennessee.

A judge denied a defense attorney’s motion to suppress Hyatte’s diary titled “A Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde.” Hyatte left the diary in her Ohio jail cell.

In describing her relationship and mindset in letters and writings, Hyatte referred to:

“I never had a choice on whether or not I wanted to do anything,”

She also wrote:

“I love you so damn much, and still nobody can understand why,”

She wrote:

“Hello from up here in Ohio, how is everybody doing?”

She wrote to another aunt:

“How is everybody doing on this fine evening? Wonderful, I hope. As for me, I am doing very well.”

She signed some letters “Bonnie” and referred to her husband as “Clyde,” including:

“The whole Bonnie and Clyde thing kills me!!!”

In a letter, she wrote about being apologetic and the period after the escape being:

“the best two days of my life.”

She wrote:

“My mom thinks that I shouldn't be held responsible and that I'm crazy and that I've been 'brainwashed,' ”

She complained:

“She just doesn't want to face the fact that I killed someone and did it in cold blood.”

In describing choice and her actions, she wrote she believed being able to make her own choices provided:

“an awesome, peaceful and serene feeling.”

She wrote about another person and being part of a religious or symbolic group:

“I hope that you got my letter about going active again and making me part too,”

Employment and relationship background facts included in the record

Jennifer Hyatte was described as a former prison nurse. She began serving her sentence immediately at the Tennessee Women’s Correctional Facility in Nashville.

Hyatte was fired after sneaking food into the prison for George Hyatte, and she later was described as having gotten permission from the warden to marry him. The couple was described as married in a May 2005 ceremony at the prison.

Information about pregnancy and remorse included in letters

Hyatte’s letters described her being pregnant at the time of the shooting and described her battles with morning sickness. The record stated that what happened to a fetus, if any, was not known. Department of Correction spokeswoman Dorinda Carter said:

“Jennifer Hyatt has not delivered a baby since she's been at the Tennessee Prison for Women,”

Capture-related public statements and family involvement

At the plea hearing, District Attorney General Russell Johnson stated that prosecutors consulted the Morgan family and that they approved the deal. He also stated:

“After a couple of days mulling it over with the extended family, they met as a group and decided that's what they wanted to do,”

After the proceedings ended, Viann Morgan said:

“We know she's going to be locked up. But yet, daily life go on for us,”

Dean Harris and Larry Harris’s wife spoke to Hyatte:

“For 36 hours of freedom? 36 hours? I can't get my mind around that. For 36 hours with George, you murder and attempt murder. Was it worth it?”