MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Ill. — A judge on Monday sentenced a man to serve the rest of his life in prison for killing his ex-girlfriend and attempting to kill a man she was on a date with in 2021.
Robert Tarr, 51, was sentenced to 85 years in prison for the murder of Leslie Reeves and the attempted murder of Christopher Smith. A Montgomery County jury found Tarr guilty in April.
In total, Tarr was sentenced to 25 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for first-degree murder, plus a 25-year firearm enhancement; and 10 years for attempted first-degree murder, plus a 25-year firearm enhancement. He is required to serve the entire sentence except for one of the firearm enhancement charges, for which he must serve 85%.
On Thanksgiving Eve in 2021, Smith and Reeves went on their first date at a bar in Farmersville, Illinois, about 75 miles from St. Louis.
"I just don't get it. All I was trying to do was trying to go out on a date," Smith said in February.
Smith said Tarr tracked them down, broke into Smith's home and shot them both in the head. The kitchen door was left open and freezing cold air likely saved his life, Smith said.
The next day, relatives said a friend of Reeves called the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and asked for a welfare check at Smith's Farmersville home.
"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.
Smith's family said Monday that Tarr apologized to both families at his sentencing and continued to speak at length until the judge had to stop him.
Sharon Costanza, Smith’s mother, said she had a lot to say but didn't know where to start.
"One that Tarr is a liar, narcissist and the way he got up and said his Allocution Statement I believe was delusional … I’m so glad he got the 85 years even though he has 30 days to appeal that but sure they will dismiss it right away," Costanza said.
Smith, who suffered multiple strokes and remains paralyzed on the left side of his body, said Monday, “I don’t think the punishment fits the crime but I’ll have to take it as how I get it. I’m fighting to get my life back and return to normalcy. If there are any doctors for STEM treatment for my left arm and left leg, reach out please. I am trying to make a positive out of a negative, never give up.”
A GoFundMe page is supporting Smith's continued recovery.
Tarr was also charged in 2022 with trying to hire someone to kill Smith and a Montgomery County deputy investigating the case.
Tarr was later indicted by a grand jury on two counts of solicitation of murder for hire. Those charges are still awaiting trial.