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It appears the woman accused of murdering Patrick Murphy will have to wait in prison for at least another 2 months for progress on the case.
Representatives of the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office didn’t show at today’s Rule to Show Cause hearing for Megan Hall.
At the end, according to court documents, another Rule to Show Cause hearing was scheduled for July 2, at 3 p.m. (New Orleans time), in Orleans Parish court.
Here’s how Hall’s personal court docket reads regarding today’s events:
Patrick Murphy Murder Update – May 3 Rule to Show Cause Hearing
Hall is the 25-year-old New Orleans woman accused of murdering Pottsville businessman Patrick Murphy during an apparent prostitution trick-gone-wrong earlier this year.
Today’s Rule to Show Cause hearing in Section M2 of Magistrate Court in Orleans Parish was an opportunity for the defense to seek any kind of relief in this case. It was also a chance for the prosecution to say why the defense shouldn’t get that. That’s essentially what a Rule to Show Cause hearing is.
A phone call to a representative inside the District Attorney’s office has not been returned. Also, messages to defense attorney John Fuller have not been returned. The Canary is tracking down information related to this case and today’s courtroom proceedings and will update when it learns more.
On the day Hall is scheduled to once again appear at a Rule to Show Cause hearing, she’ll be in prison for 4 months. She’s being held on $750,000 bond. Hall faces second-degree murder charges. If she’s convicted, Louisiana mandates a life sentenced.
Patrick Murphy Murder- Case Recap
In previous court proceedings, Hall’s attorney argues the incident on the night of Feb. 28 didn’t happen as the prosecution asserts.
Prosecutors believe Hall is guilty of second-degree murder for killing Murphy in a second-floor room of the Empress Hotel in the Treme neighborhood of New Orleans.
Murphy was in New Orleans with his wife but at some point on the night of February 27-28, they apparently weren’t together. That’s apparently when Murphy met Hall, a prostitute working in New Orleans.
They retired to the Empress Hotel in the early morning hours of Feb. 28. A few hours after first going into the hotel room, Hall left alone.
Hotel workers discovered Murphy dead on his hotel bed later that morning when he didn’t check out of the room.
At a preliminary hearing, New Orleans police testified Murphy died of 3 stab wounds to the front of his body.
In previous court appearances, Fuller lobbied for reduced bail and reduced charges for his client. He’s gotten nowhere with those requests so far.
Check out previous coverage of the Patrick Murphy murder case from The Canary:
- Patrick Murphy Stabbed 3 Times
- Tick-tock of Patrick Murphy Preliminary Hearing
- What Will Megan Hall Say in Defense of Killing Patrick Murphy?
- “Get in the Bathroom” Last Words Patrick Murphy Heard
- Will DA Seek Lesser Charges in Patrick Murphy Murder Case?
- Patrick Murphy Murder Suspect Arrested
- Schuylkill County Residents Trolling Patrick Murphy Murder Suspect
- Patrick Murphy Murder Suspect Has Illicit History
- Locals React to Patrick Murphy Murder News
- Pottsville Businessman Patrick Murphy Killed in New Orleans
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Linda
May 3, 2019 at 9:31 pm
This is interesting, in an odd way. Makes me wonder if they are cutting some sort of deal. I’ll be tuned in!
Nan of boys
May 4, 2019 at 6:24 pm
I always thought they couldn’t hold a person longer than 60 days without a hearing to see if they will go to court ?
Linda
May 4, 2019 at 7:11 pm
I am not an expert but found this . . .
“The state has to file charges within 40 days of the arrest. Once charges are filed, a trial date is scheduled. However, the trial date can be changed if there are any continuances. If this person is on “no bond” status, then he will sit in jail until his trial is disposed of. He should consider filing a demand for speedy trial.If speedy trial is not waived by his attorney, then the state has 90 days on misdemeanor and 175 days on a felony to bring them to trial. The state is allowed certain short extensions past that for good cause. If he is being held without bond, then he needs to talk to his public defender right away so that they can talk strategy for trial.
If this person is still in jail after 120 days, then the State has probably already filed formal charges. You need to find out if the Public Defender has “waived the right to a speedy trial.” If not, then the State has approximately six months to bring the Defendant to trial. The Defendant always has the right to demand a speedy trial, which would require the State to bring the Defendant to trial within approximately 45 days. If the PD will not respond, the Defendant can write to the Judge and request a hearing for a Demand for a Speedy Trial. However, if a trial is not in the Defendant’s best interest, then this person may stay in jail until the case can be resolved without a trial”
Nan of boys
May 5, 2019 at 2:01 pm
So it’s confusing..I know they take their time to go to trial, but I thought if no charges were made after 60 days she’s free, but I guess not.