Jury finds man guilty of murder more than 15 years after Warren County shooting

WARREN COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — A Warren County jury returned a guilty second-degree murder verdict on Wednesday for a case that was cold for a decade.

Marty Lynn Judd was arrested in 2019 for the deadly August 2009 shooting of Rebecca Mooneyham. A letter from district attorney Chris Stanford said Mooneyham was shot and killed by a “somewhat unique Mosin-Nagants rifle” while in her living room.

Stanford explained that a break in the case came when officers were able to secure and execute a search warrant on Marty’s residence, which reportedly led to the discovery of “multiple Russian-made rifles, including several Mosin-Nagants” and ammunition consistent with the kind used in the shooting that claimed Mooneyham’s life.

The letter added that the motive established at trial had to do with Marty’s belief that Mooneyham’s son had stolen multiple dirt bikes from him. At the time, the judge dismissed the case for lack of proof. Stanford said upon learning that, “[Marty] Judd was yelling and acting unruly as he left the juvenile courtroom following his perceived humiliation.”

Further evidence at trial was reportedly provided by Marty’s son, Dennis Judd. Dennis told investigators his father explained to him that Marty had hidden in bushes and shot Mooneyham.

“Dennis Judd’s testimony to the jury was emotional because he loves his father and felt like he was betraying [Marty] Judd by taking the stand to testify truthfully about [Marty] Judd confessing to the tragic murder of Rebecca Mooneyham,” the letter read, in part. “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 his prosecution relied.”

Stanford thanked state and local law enforcement for their continued efforts on the case and acknowledged the resilience of the Mooneyham family through this 15-year ordeal. Additionally, Stanford extended respect for the jurors’ verdict, though the letter added that he believed evidence supported a premeditated first-degree murder conviction.

UNSOLVED TENNESSEE: Find more of the state’s cold cases, missing persons, and other mysteries →

“While nothing can ever truly heal their tremendous loss, I am hopeful that this guilty verdict provides them with a sense of closure,” Stanford wrote. “Please join my office and all of local law enforcement in praying for the Mooneyham family.”

The state will reportedly seek the maximum sentence available under the law, which is 25 years. The minimum possible sentence for a second-degree murder conviction is 15 years. Marty will not be eligible for parole nor early release. Additionally, the unlawful possession of a prohibited fully automatic weapon carries a sentence of one to two years, with the state seeking the maximum two-year sentence.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.