Inset top: Brandon Morrissette after receiving a life sentence for the murder of Robenie “RJ” Long (KWTV). Inset bottom: Robenie “RJ” Long (Asa Smith Funeral Service). Background: Rose State College (Rose State College/YouTube).
The Oklahoma husband convicted of gunning down a man he believed was having an affair with his wife — despite his wife”s denials — on a college campus will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Brandon Morrissette, 32, was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison for the murder of Robenie “RJ” Long, according to Oklahoma City CBS affiliate KWTV. As Law&Crime previously reported, Morrissette was convicted in August of first-degree murder for shooting Long, 20, to death in 2023. The murder happened on the Rose State College campus in Midwest City; Morrissette confronted Long as he was walking out of a building with Morrissette’s wife, who was also a student at the school.
According to the victim’s family members who attended Morrissette’s sentencing, the killer did not appear to be taking the proceedings seriously, KWTV reported.
“I can’t speak on his behalf, but from what I saw, just smiles and grins,” said Mykell Long, the victim’s sister. “And I know for sure he can’t make eye contact with my mom while she was speaking.”
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RJ Long’s mother told the station that her son, who had served in the Marines since graduating from high school in 2021, had a girlfriend whom he intended to marry.
“All Morrissette’s ex-wife was to RJ was a student who sat beside him in one class, that’s it,” Kelly Long said. She also said that her son shielded his fellow student from Morrissette’s bullets as they left a class.
Morrissette apparently believed that Long was having an affair with his wife, KWTV reported. Investigators said Morrissette’s wife told police that Long was a classmate and friend.
The August verdict came after jurors heard “evidence that Morrissette shot Long seven times outside the Humanities building on campus,” Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna said in a statement at the time of Morrissette’s conviction.
Jurors delivered their verdict just hours after starting deliberations, KWTV reported. Jurors recommended that Morrissette serve a life sentence for the murder, local Fox affiliate KOKH also reported.
According to court records, Morrissette is expected to enter a plea and be sentenced for possession of child sexual abuse material on Wednesday.
