Man Accused Of Killing His Ex On Date Is Now Charged With Hiring Hitman To Kill Surviving Witness And Sheriff’s Deputy
An Illinois man accused of gunning down his ex-girlfriend while she was out on a date with another man has now been accused of hiring a hitman to kill the surviving witness and an investigator on the case.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office announced that a grand jury had indicted Robert "Bobby" Tarr, 49, on Friday of two counts of solicitation of murder after an investigation by the sheriff’s office discovered that Tarr had allegedly tried to hire a hitman to get rid of the witness and a Montgomery County deputy.
Tarr was already behind bars facing charges of first-degree murder and attempted murder in the shootings of his ex-girlfriend Leslie Reeves, 45, and her date Christopher J. Smith, 48.
While Reeves—a passionate advocate for domestic violence victims—died in the November shooting, Smith was “critically injured” and survived, according to a statement from the Montgomery County State’s Attorney previously obtained by Oxygen.com.
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Smith, a single dad, told local station KSDK in February that his life had been a “living hell” since surviving the shooting. Smith had to move back in with his parents as a result of his injuries, which left him paralyzed on the left side of his body and a bullet still lodged in his brain.
“I went from being a single dad, small business owner living your everyday American dream. I did nothing wrong,” said Smith, who is unable to walk and struggles emotionally.
Smith and Reeves had been eager to go on their first date the night before Thanksgiving, but the night took a tragic turn after Tarr, who had been Reeves’ ex-boyfriend, allegedly attacked the couple in Smith’s Farmersville home.
Robert Tarr Photo: Montgomery County Jail
“I don’t remember anything from that night whatsoever, thank God,” Smith said.
Authorities found Reeves and Smith in the home the next day.
"My neighbor found me on the floor 14 hours later with my dog cuddled up next to me, trying to keep me warm," Smith said.
Investigators determined Tarr had been the suspected gunman in the shooting after uncovering his previous relationship with Reeves, prosecutors said.
Authorities now say Tarr tried to hire a hitman to kill Smith and the sheriff’s deputy sometime between December of 2021 and June 11, 2022, according to an indictment obtained by KSDK.
Reeves, a mother of two, had been a tireless advocate for domestic violence victims before her death and taught self-defense classes at her fitness studio and party venue. She also served on the board of directors for Good Samaritan House, a domestic violence shelter.
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“Whether she was doing some counseling or countless defense courses she was always encouraging individuals to do whatever they needed to be safe,” her friend Teresa Pedigo told KMOV after her death.
Smith said in February he’s hoping to get justice in the case.
“He took her life too. She had two kids also. They lost their mother,” he said. “I want him to rot in jail. I had one evil man just take it all from me.”
Tarr was already being held on a $3 million bond. A judge set an additional $2 million bond in connection with the solicitation charges against him, authorities said.
