Following evidence that she was having an affair with an inmate, a Missouri woman who had previously worked as a prison nurse reached a plea agreement in connection with her husband’s poisoning death.
Amy L. Murray, 47, entered an Alford plea on Wednesday to the second-degree murder of her husband, Joshua Murray, 37. Joshua Murray’s body was discovered in the burnt remains of the couple’s Iberia, Missouri, home in December 2018, and the medical examiner determined that he died before the fire. According to a probable cause statement obtained by local CBS affiliate KRCG at the time, he died after being poisoned with ethylene glycol, also known as antifreeze.
Authorities also determined that the fire was the result of arson.
According to the probable cause statement, Amy Murray had an affair with an inmate at the Jefferson City Correctional Center, where she worked as a nurse.
According to local NBC affiliate KYTV, investigators listened to phone calls between Amy Murray and Eugene Claypool, an inmate who was convicted of second-degree murder in 2001 and is currently serving a life sentence. Amy Murray reportedly expressed her desire to divorce her husband during the phone calls that occurred prior to the fire.
Amy Murray told police on December 11, 2018, that she, her 11-year-old son, and two family dogs went to McDonald’s. When they got back home, the house was on fire. Amy Murray informed police that she was unable to enter the house because it was filled with smoke.
Joshua Murray was discovered dead on the bed in the master bedroom.
After the fire, Amy Murray informed Claypool that her husband was “out of the picture,” and the two could now marry. According to KRCG, Amy Murray also suggested that Claypool hire an attorney so that he could appeal to have his sentence reduced and potentially released.
Amy Murray was originally charged with four felonies in connection with her husband’s death: first-degree murder, armed criminal action, second-degree arson, and tampering with physical evidence. She was also charged with first-degree sexual abuse and three counts of offender abuse by a Department of Corrections employee in connection with her relationship with Claypool.
On Tuesday, Amy Murray accepted Alford’s plea to one count of second-degree murder. She was sentenced to twelve years in prison.
