Jody Herring charged with murder in shooting deaths of 3 relatives

BARRE — Jody Herring, already accused of killing a state worker in downtown Barre, has been charged with aggravated murder in the shooting deaths of three relatives in a Berlin farmhouse.

Williams tells The Associated Press he has regularly visited the parking lot where he confronted the woman to work through his emotions.

The only charge that had been filed against Herring, 40, of South Barre during the first two weeks of the investigation was a single count of first-degree murder related to the slaying of Sobel, 48, of East Montpelier, a Department for Children and Families employee.

The Free Press also reported that Tiffany Herring, 23, who identified herself as the daughter of victim Rhonda Herring, said her mother had received a threatening phone call from Jody Herring Friday morning.

Herring had tried to buy guns at stores in Barre and Randolph in March but was denied because she couldn’t pass a background check, authorities said. Premont told police he did not give Jody Herring the firearm, but has taken her shooting “a number of times” and that “she is a good shot, ” according to the document. Falzaranos body was covered with a white sheet, and police said her body was covered after her murder.

Court papers say Herring’s “hit list” included the names of several of the victims, the former boyfriend told investigators.

Det. Sgt. Todd Baxter of the Vermont State Police concluded in the affidavit, “The scenes suggest Rhonda Herring, Regina Herring, and Julie Falzarano were murdered in a deliberate and purposeful succession.” Baxter stated that it is reasonable to believe, based on evidence, that Herring progressed from room to room within the Berlin farmhouse, murdered all three women individually within a short period of time.

Ms. Herring and Mr. Premont ended a relationship about a month ago, a Herring family friend Jamie Renfrew told reporters last Thursday following Mr. Premont’s arraignment in Barre court. Williams turned the prosecution of the case over to the office of the Vermont Attorney General.

Courtroom papers described Herring as calm and laughing whereas officers processed her on the Barre police station. Baxter wrote in his affidavit that Herring became agitated when police attempted to question her and hinted at the undiscovered carnage at the Berlin farmhouse 6 miles away.

“Did you discover the opposite three but?”

The detective said Herring responded, “What about the other (expletive) three?”.

The affidavit said Falzaranos body and Regina Herrings body were found in beds. The arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday, August 25, at Washington County criminal court in Barre. Tiffany Herring claimed Jody Herring made numerous threats toward Rhonda Herring and Regina Herring. The authorities have said consistently that more charges were possible.

Court documents also reveal the origin of the weapon, a Remington 700.270 Win. hunting rifle.

Not till morning would police uncover the killings of Herring’s three kinfolk.

Police interviews with Premont also shed more light on why Herring might have targeted Sobel.

The rifle was found in Herring’s auto and likely used to slaughter her family, according to court documents.

Premont advised police he had seen a “hit record” that Herring had written months earlier than the killings. According to the affidavit, Rhonda Herring and Regina Herring were on that list, as well as Jody Herrings mom and her moms husband, and Jody Herrings brother, Dwayne Herring.

Premont is facing unrelated charges after authorities say he engaged in an armed standoff with police August. 12 in Barre. She will plead not guilty. Regulation-enforcement authorities say Premont was appearing as if he needed police to shoot him and demanded to see Herring. Mr. Premont was taken into custody without harm to himself, police or bystanders.