 Robert E. Roy |
Robert E. Roy, 49, took the glasses that had been hanging from his collar, put them on and carefully peered down at the plea agreement before his defense attorney Joseph T. Flood presented it to the judge.
Roy appeared before Judge J. Howe Brown Jan. 31 to plead guilty to second degree murder. He had initially been charged with the first degree murder of Patrick Hornbaker.
Under the plea agreement, Roy also agreed to plead guilty to two burglary and two grand larceny cases in Frederick County. He is scheduled for sentencing May 31. Under the plea agreement, Roy faces 18-27 years for his part in the murder.
Flood told the Times-Mirror that, “We’ll reserve most of what we’ll say until sentencing, but Mr. Roy took responsibility for his role in the crime today.”
Three other charges were nolle prossed, meaning that while the Commonwealth’s Attorney would not pursue the charges, they could be raised in the future should Roy not meet his obligations under the plea agreement.
The defense had been working with the Commonwealth’s Attorney to iron out the final language in the plea agreement and statement of fact relating to the May 21, 2001 murder of Hornbaker up until shortly before the case was called.
When asked for a plea, Roy responded, “I plead guilty but I never killed no one in my whole life. That’s all I’ve got to say.”
Roy later told the judge that he understood the felony murder law, indicating that although he did not directly kill Hornbaker, he was responsible because he was participating in a felony at the time.
The new proffered facts were sealed at the request of the defense attorney.
The initial investigation into the Hornbaker murder lingered for seven years before Roy was connected to the case. At the time, Roy was incarcerated in West Virginia on unrelated charges. While referring to the new developments in a long-standing case as a victory for investigators, the Sheriff’s Office has not released the details on how precisely Roy was connected as a suspect.
Roy’s alleged co-conspirator Leo Durocher was charged with first degree murder in the Hornbaker murder on Sept. 7, 2011. A jury trial is scheduled to begin April 30.
While reticent because of the upcoming Durocher trial, Plowman did express his satisfaction with the status of the Roy case noting that, “Given the age of the case, it gives you logistical complexities.”
I know Leo, he is the most disgusting waste of puke I never wanted to meet, but I did, I am no pre judge type person but looking in the eye of such obvious waste is alarming, it opened my sight to just what is out there, he is by far the most selfish, evil, using, unworthy, discusting, back stabbing, lying, theif, worthless, cowardly, dishonest, dirty, woman beater, and alleged but likely murderer, a bottom feeder that makes the most evil look like easter bunny, can say I dont hate, but I hate him, to the core, everything he is is exactly what I am glad no other is, just him, a rotten, useless, pathetic, laughable, and worthy of nothing but what he gifted others, hang him high, we all can rest easy, just dont waste a bullet, hang him in public square and the buzzards and vultures will do the rest, if they can even stand his putrid stench.
I am so glad that GOD is our only true judge.We all have sinned n come short of the glory of GOD. That is why JESUd have fS hung on that cross so many years ago,so we could have forgivness for our sins.Yes GOD will have mercy on his soul because he is a MERCIFUL GOD. As long as this man ask n is truly sorry n repents then our maker will forgive. Instead of spending time judging, take time to do all we can tofight against the drugs that contribute to these men.They take a good person n turn them into monsters,so see what u can do in ur community to help get drugs out before it is someone in ur own family who has to walk in Mr. Roy’s shoes May GOD have mercy on our souls.I know this because this person is someone in my family who was a very good person til drugs took control n destroyed his life also. My little brother GOD BLESS US ALL N HAVE MERCY ON ALL OF US
I saw five mentions of Hornbaker; where’s the other name? I don’t always see the best editing on LTM articles, but I look closely.
Mr. Roy’s plea is another example of how cowardly the man is. This article makes him look like an innocent bystander. He said “I never killed no one in my life.” Ironically enough he was discovered for these charges while in a cell for a savage beating of an innocent woman. I know because that beautiful woman is someone close to me. This man is a waste to society and the only issue that I have in locking him up for life is that innocent taxpayers have to pay for him. My prayers go out to the family of the deceased and may God have mercy on those men that have slain, hurt, and terrorized our families!!!
Great writing and editing on this story… Not! I think the victim’s name was HornBAKER, not HornBERGER. Somehow the writer calls him both and NO ONE NOTICED???
Leo Durocher? I thought that Leo the Lip was deceased.
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