News

Loyalhanna Man Pleads Not Guilty To Killing Mom, Aunt, Sister

Kevin Murphy, the son, nephew and brother of the 3 victims, was arrested on April 23, 2010 in connection with the crimes.

LOYALHANNA TOWNSHIP, Pa.,None — A 49-year-old Loyalhanna Township man charged with fatally shooting his mother, sister and aunt in the small-town glass shop he owned waived his formal arraignment and entered a not-guilty plea on Wednesday.

PHOTOS: Police Probe Deaths At Glass Plant

Also on Wednesday, the district attorney said he would file for an extension on his deadline on whether he plans to seek the death penalty against Kevin Murphy.

Murphy was charged one year after the slayings with three counts each of criminal homicide and first-degree murder.

Murphy's aunt, Edith Tietge, 81; his mother, Doris Murphy, 69; and his sister, Kris Murphy, 43, were found dead with gunshot wounds to the head inside the family-operated Ferguson Glass, LLC on April 23, 2009.

A jailhouse witness who said Murphy befriended him testified earlier this year, saying Murphy had confided in him that he killed his mother and sister at the urging of his girlfriend, a married woman whom his family didn't approve of. However, the witness said Murphy never made mention of killing his aunt.

The inmate also said Murphy's girlfriend, who hasn't been charged, orchestrated the killings. He said Murphy told him he and the woman met a grocery store parking lot that morning to go over the plan.

The witness was released from jail after his testimony and placed on house arrest, according to officials.

Murphy's defense attorney, Bob Bell, is challenging his credibility.

"He's like most jailhouse snitches. He got what he wanted out of this. He got out of jail today. The only testimony he gave he could have seen on the news," said Bell.

Murphy is being held without bond in the Westmoreland County jail.

Previous Stories: May 26, 2010: Jailmate Testifies Against Man Accused Of Killing Mom, Sister, Aunt April 23, 2010: Police Make Arrest 1 Year After Loyalhanna Murders July 7, 2009: Search Warrants Unsealed In Saltsburg Triple Slaying May 8, 2009: Coroner Withholding Results In Saltsburg Triple Slaying April 28, 2009: Visitation Held For 3 Women Found Dead In Loyalhanna Factory April 27, 2009: No Arrest Made In Shooting Deaths Of 3 Loyalhanna Women

• E-Mail Newsletter: Get The Latest News Sent To Your E-Mail! • Mobile: Get WPXI Headlines On Your Phone, iPhone, More • RSS: Add Us To Your Page!

WPXI

Most Read