Pat Murphy’s Alleged Killer Going to Trial on Tuesday

Megan (or Magen) Hall, the woman accused of killing Pottsville businessman Patrick Murphy last February, is scheduled to go to trial on Tuesday.

Hall faces a second-degree murder charge. She could spend the rest of her life in prison if a Louisiana jury finds her guilty.

Death of Patrick Murphy – Megan Hall Murder Trial Starts Jan. 7

Patrick Murphy was a well-known businessman in Pottsville. He owned Murphy Jewelers, on West Market Street in the city. Murphy owned another store in Tilden Township, Berks County. Murphy was also well known for his charitable work and for serving as a Pottsville Area school board director.

On the morning of Feb. 28, 2019, staff at the Empress Hotel in New Orleans’ Treme neighborhood found Murphy dead in a hotel room he rented the night before.

According to an investigation into his death, Murphy suffered multiple stab wounds to the front of his body and bled to death in that hotel room.

The previous night, he and Hall, a known New Orleans prostitute, rented that room at the Empress Hotel.

Eyewitnesses that night recall hearing an argument and someone scream, “Get in the bathroom!” before a brief struggle.

Surveillance footage turned over by Empress Hotel owners show Hall and Murphy checking in to the establishment. But only Hall leaves a few hours later.

Later that morning, after his body was discovered, New Orleans Police detectives gather evidence from the hotel room. Then, they named Hall a person of interest and then a suspect in Murphy’s death.

Hall turned herself in to police a few days later and has been in an Orleans Parish prison ever since.

Court in Session

On Tuesday, Hall will be represented by New Orleans defense attorney John Fuller. Another lawyer, Marcus DeLarge, has also represented Hall in previous court appearances. She faces the following charges:

• Second-degree murder
• Armed robbery
• Obstruction of justice – homicide investigation

The second-degree murder charge carries a mandatory life sentence (without parole) in Louisiana.

Check back Tuesday for the latest from the courtroom.

ALSO READ: 

• Full Coal Region Canary of the death of Patrick Murphy

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