(UPDATE: 3:30 p.m. EDST)
The preliminary hearing for Megan Hall, the woman accused of killing Patrick Murphy, is now March 28, at 3 p.m. CDST.
According to the Orleans Parish Magistrate Court, the motion to continue today’s schedule hearing was made by the state of Louisiana.
Hall, 25, faces second-degree murder charges in Murphy’s death.
Patrick Murphy Murder Case: Motion Filed for Continuance
Thursday’s scheduled preliminary hearing was the first step in presenting a case against Hall.
Hall is accused of killing Murphy in a hotel room just off the French Quarter in New Orleans on Feb. 28.
Murphy was in New Orleans on a trip with his wife. However, the two weren’t together when Murphy and Hall rented a room at the seedy Empress Hotel.
Hall’s past reveals she’s been arrested and convicted of prostitution. And it’s believed she was actively working as a prostitute in New Orleans at the time of Murphy’s death.
Police quickly identified Hall as the lone suspect in Murphy’s death. Many people locally jumped to the conclusion that because Hall is a prostitute, she’s guilty.
However, she turned herself into authorities in New Orleans on March 3. At a bond hearing, a lawyer representing Hall suggested his client has a side of this story to tell.
A lawyer representing Hall filed a motion for a preliminary hearing and assertion of Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights on March 8.
Since turning herself in to police, Hall is at Orleans Justice Center on $750,000 bond.
PAT MURPHY MURDER CASE FULL COVERAGE
- Patrick Murphy Murder: Serious Questions About Empress Hotel
- Funeral Arrangements for Patrick Murphy Announced
- What Will Megan Hall Say in Defense of Killing Patrick Murphy?
- “Get in the Bathroom!” Last Words Pat Murphy Likely Heard
- Will the DA Seek Lesser Charges in the Death of Patrick Murphy?
- Murphy Murder Suspect Arrested Sunday in NOLA
- Schuylkill County Residents Trolling Pat Murphy’s Alleged Murderer on Facebook
- Murphy Murder Suspect Has Illicit History, Faces 2nd Degree Murder
- Pottsville Expressing Grief Over Pat Murphy’s Murder
- Pottsville Businessman Pat Murphy Murdered in New Orleans
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Nichole
March 14, 2019 at 11:28 am
I am so sick of this guy being portrayed as a saint and role model. He was killed by a hooker in a sleazy hotel while cheating on his wife. What a showman he was… continued to be with that ridiculous obituary and circus of a funeral. Also- is someone paying the republican to not write anything about her being a prostitute? Trying to hide his wild side id say. Can’t wait to hear her defense. WBRE had posted he was previously arrested in NOLA for soliciting prostitution. Any truth to this? Can’t find it.
admin
March 14, 2019 at 1:26 pm
We did — like, right away. https://coalregioncanary.com/2019/03/01/pat-murphy-murder-update/
Friend
March 14, 2019 at 4:28 pm
He was a good man. and a role model, Circus as a fueneral What is wrong with you Not even worth the time to debate this with you
Chantelle Polanski
March 14, 2019 at 9:10 pm
AMEN! Bout time someone said it like it is. Why would ya have a media frenzy funeral when ur husband was murdered cuz he was with prostitute? I’d be Embarrassed. Pottsville republican is joke-he’s big advertiser so why would they write bad stuff? New Orleans is bad city for crime. Skook is so corrupt & everything gets covered up unless ur a nobody. Look at PASD looking for new football Coach but athletic director still has job? Why cuz his sister is board President. 2 new board members are trying to drain the swamp but need more people to run & speak up. Business director was fired because his employee made mistake but still works there so why is (un)athletic guy (prob 350 lbs) keep job cuz his employee made mistake. Not in this case. Everyone needs to speak up & do something. Why are people so afraid?
Friend
March 16, 2019 at 3:00 pm
You dont know what you are talking about.
Justin
March 23, 2019 at 8:02 am
Well the 2 new board members are the ones that voted not to fire the football coach. I would say they are part of the swamp.
admin
March 23, 2019 at 10:40 am
We’ll agree … but this is in the wrong article 😉
James Anderson
April 14, 2019 at 5:02 pm
She is not guilty of second degree
Linda
April 14, 2019 at 6:38 pm
James Anderson,
You know this or are saying this? Was there a hearing we did not know about? Curious, not disputing you.
The longer this goes the more I think there was a lot happening, with Patrick, that the public and friends were not aware of.
Corkmaster
March 14, 2019 at 6:07 pm
PEOPLE 👏 WHO👏 PICK👏 UP👏 PROSTITUTES👏 ARE👏 NOT👏 ROLE👏 MODELS👏
Friend
March 15, 2019 at 10:50 am
your a joke and shouldn’t even be allowed to comment
admin
March 15, 2019 at 11:43 am
Everyone is allowed to comment, Friend.
Non-Gullible City Resident
March 15, 2019 at 11:52 am
So you would agree that adulterers and people who pick up common street prostitutes are people you would advise your child to model themselves after?
Kevin
March 15, 2019 at 4:05 am
I am sure the family and loved ones of the victim appreciate this article and the unfeeling comments left by some readers. What a complete disregard for those who are grieving! Yes maybe he did a screw up but he didn’t deserve to die because of it. Have some compassion people! Why the holier than thou attitudes? “Ye without sin cast the fist stone” oh sorry you can’t because “ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.
Linda
March 15, 2019 at 7:37 am
There have been a lot of things removed from the net, in the past two weeks. FB posts go up and then disappear. As do news articles.
I read too, somewhere else, that the New Orleans police said this was not the first time they had met Mr Murphy, and it was connected to prostitution. I’m not able to find it now.
It almost seems that a PR firm, has been hired – and is working overtime, figuring out the best way to address the situation. And clean up any ‘dirt’.
I have never seen an obit, that read more like a press release, until now. (IMO) they should have had a nice obit, and then the funeral, perhaps a day or so later, had the ‘press release’ put out to the papers.
It was what it was, a 62 year old man, who was always impeccably dressed, monogrammed, pressed shirts, French cuffs, well made suits – in a cheap, moldy room, with a 20 something, who had a questionable FB page. While his wife was sleeping, or awake and waiting on him to return, in (I am sure) a much nicer facility in a better area of the city.
Now the scramble is on, in an attempt to not have the blood stains, left in New Orleans, taint the business matters back here in PA.
Who would you do business with? A cheater, or man who liked other women, and was able to share it with his wife? A cheater is going to make you wonder if that purchase was really worth what you paid. If you believe he was fully open with his wife, then you are going to think he was honest with customers. Think about it, they need to come up with the best situation, not one is really good, but one might be better.
This is more than a man from PA was killed, while on vacation. This is a well known businessman, who was known to the community, was murdered in an appalling motel room, after checking in with a very young woman, in the middle of the night Even if he were alive, I doubt we would know the real truths.
*All is ‘in my opinion’ and personal ponders I have had*
Friend
March 16, 2019 at 3:05 pm
Mr Murphy was a personal friend,A good man This trash you people are talking says alot about you a human beings. Pat was loved and you people can never trash his name. And she will rot in jail.
MollyO
March 16, 2019 at 7:43 pm
I’m so sorry for your pain and that of Mr Murphy’s family. I can’t even imagine what family, friends and the community are going through. No one is immune to tragedy. I have been through tragedy, but nothing of this magnitude. But I do know what it feels like to have people talking who really know little or nothing of the situation or those involved. My heart breaks for those who are left behind. I hope those posting negative comments on line or around town pause a moment or two to think about how you would feel if you were going through something hard only to have it made worse by unkindness and chatter that helps no one. No matter what happened or didn’t happen, only God can judge. I do not know Patrick Murphy or his family. But they appear to have given a lot to the community. Prayer and compassion would do so much more not only for his family and friends, but for you and the human race
Friend
March 15, 2019 at 10:47 am
You ppl are complete Trash, ppl like you hide behind keyboards and try and spread hate about a man who had such a positive influence on his community . Raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity and ppl less fortunate . you dont know the story ….. i know Pat Personally and i am disgusted ppl like you can come with such hate. Pat was an amazing person and great family man. I have grown up with him my whole life.
What happens if he was drugged?
What happens if he was told they had his wife?
what happens if they tried setting him up to rob the $13000 watch he had on?
what happens if he was Targeted in the most dangerous city ?
Our friend was brutally murdered ……… Karma is going to not only get The killer..
But Karma WIll GET YOU TWO WEAK SIMPLE MINDED PPL THROUGH YOUR LIFE At SOME POint
Nichole, Chantelle Polanski ,our family is grieving and is very hurt by the devastating events . That man has done way more then both of you clowns ever have .
you ppl are the ones that are sitting at home in your pajamas probably eating off the working ppl.
hide behind a keyboard like the Cowards you are..
BUT KARMA IS A REAL THING …….
Non-Gullible City Resident
March 15, 2019 at 12:09 pm
Do you really think a street prostitute knew who Pat Murphy was and then targeted him? As well known as he was in his hometown I’m guessing he was nothing but an average Joe to anyone else and not recognizable.
Non-Gullible City Resident
March 15, 2019 at 12:55 pm
He was drugged but cognizant enough to have the ability to pay for a hotel room? Told they had his wife? What is this a Liam Neeson movie? I believe he could have been set up to be robbed, wouldn’t be the first time a common john was victimized by a prostitute and those he/she may associate with. However it appears to be safe and responsible to draw the conclusion that Mr. Murphy put himself in a bad situation. He was not the second coming of Mother Theresa, which is what the local rag and his over the top obit would have you believe.
MollyO
March 15, 2019 at 2:15 pm
I have been praying for those close to Mr. Murphy. It’s difficult enough to lose someone and much harder under the circumstances. I do not know the family, but always wanted to go onto one of the stores. It is up to the legal system to determine the fate of Ms. Hall. We were not there so we don’t know. And it’s not our job to judge. That’s left to a much higher power who is I believe a lot less harsh than some posting here. Spend your energy praying for this family. Pray for the truth to be revealed. And don’t judge.
Non-Gullible City Resident
March 15, 2019 at 12:11 pm
Do you really think a street prostitute knew who Pat Murphy was and then targeted him? As well known as he was in his hometown I’m guessing he was nothing but an average Joe to anyone else and not recognizable.
Joe Fernosky
October 24, 2019 at 9:43 pm
Walking around with a $13,000 watch on dealing with hookers, cheating on ur wife…seems like karma was real and came back to Murphy. He put himself in a terrible situation and should have had more morals. The people who have it good in life money wise r the weakest character people…The poorest folk have the highest moral standards and seems like something he knew little about. Don’t cheat on ur wife, do not go with a sex worker bcuz they r by nature predatory and def don’t do it flashing ur bill fold or watch. He probably was a great guy and I’m not making any judgement…I don’t want friend attacking me, but the guy should not have been doing those things and paid the price. No one ever deserves to die over actions in their life, but when u walk on the edge ur eventually gonna fall.