After it was discovered that she was having an affair with an inmate, a Missouri woman who had previously worked as a prison nurse entered into a plea deal in relation to her husband’s poisoning death.
On Wednesday, 47-year-old Amy L. Murray pled guilty to second-degree murder of her husband, Joshua Murray, 37. The medical examiner concluded that Joshua Murray had passed away before the fire when his body was discovered in the burned remains of the couple’s Iberia, Missouri, home in December 2018.
At the time, local CBS affiliate KRCG was able to obtain a probable cause statement that stated that he had died from ethylene glycol, or antifreeze, poisoning.
Authorities also concluded that arson was the cause of the fire.
Amy Murray worked as a nurse at the Jefferson City Correctional Center, where it was found that she was having an affair with an inmate, according to the probable cause statement.
Investigators listened to calls between Amy Murray and Eugene Claypool, the inmate serving a life sentence after being found guilty of second-degree murder in 2001, according to local NBC affiliate KYTV.
Amy Murray allegedly stated her intention to file for divorce from her husband during those phone conversations, which occurred prior to the fire.
Amy Murray reported to the police on December 11, 2018, that she had visited McDonald’s with her 11-year-old son and the two family dogs. The house was on fire when they got home. Amy Murray informed the police that the house was so smoke-filled that she was unable to enter.
The body of Joshua Murray was discovered in the master bedroom on the bed.
Amy Murray informed Claypool following the fire that her husband was “out of the picture,” meaning they could now get married. According to KRCG, Amy Murray also suggested that Claypool get legal representation in order to file an appeal for a reduced sentence and possible release.
Amy Murray was initially accused of four felonies related to her husband’s death: tampering with physical evidence, second-degree arson, armed criminal action, and first-degree murder.
In addition, a Department of Corrections employee charged her with three counts of offender abuse and first-degree sexual abuse in relation to her affair with Claypool.
Amy Murray agreed to Alford’s plea to one count of second-degree murder on Tuesday. She received a 12-year prison sentence.
