Megan Hall, the woman accused of killing Pottsville businessman Patrick J. Murphy in New Orleans in February 2019, will go on trial for the killing this September.
According to court documents, Hall will face second-degree murder, armed robbery, and obstruction charges starting Sept. 27.
The trial date was set on Wednesday during a pre-trial conference. Hall appeared via “virtual courtroom” with her attorney John Fuller.
A pre-trial conference is set for a week prior to the start of the trial, on Sept. 20.
Of course, this schedule could change once again due to the COVID pandemic. Criminal trials are still not being held in Louisiana and there are thousands of cases in backlog because of this.
Hall’s trial has already been delayed numerous times, due to scheduling errors and now due to the pandemic. She’s been in prison since early March 2019 after she turned herself in to police after a warrant was issued for her arrest following the discovery of Murphy’s body.
She will have been in prison for more than 2½ years if this new trial date holds. Hall’s being held on $750,000 bond.
The second floor of the Empress Hotel in New Orleans. (via Youtube)
Murphy, who owned Murphy Jewelers stores and was previously a Pottsville Area school board member, was found dead inside a second-floor room at the Empress Hotel in New Orleans’ Treme neighborhood.
He rented a room the previous night with Hall, a known prostitute. Just a few hours after checking in, Hall is seen on surveillance video exiting the hotel alone.
Police say Murphy died from stab wounds. If Hall is convicted of second-degree murder, she’ll get a mandatory life sentence.
FULL COVERAGE:
Subscribe to Coal Region Canary
Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!Support Coal Region Canary
Like our reporting and want to support truly local news in Schuylkill County? Your small donations help. For as little as $5, your contribution will allow us to cover more news that directly affects you. Consider donating today by hitting the big yellow button below ...