Murbarger took the stand on Wednesday and testified that Nichols blood was in his car after a sexual encounter in which he used his shirt to clean the blood. The court also heard from an FBI DNA expert who confirmed the blood in Murbargers trunk came from Megan Nichols. The defense team for Murbarger says the evidence in the case is speculation and circumstantial, citing there is no motive for Murbarger to commit murder, and no evidence that Nichols death was due to strangulation. Its not just you, Work phones make a comeback as offices ban WhatsApp, TikTok. A body was found - it was tragic, but maybe itll lead to something more. From Evansville, IN newsman (formerly of Fairfield): Brodey Ian Murbarger of Evansville, Indiana has been arrested in connection with the murder of his former girlfriend, Megan Nichols. Speaking on behalf of the city, Rosenthal said the best possible scenario is that the house be restored and placed on the states list of historical homes. Murbarger was arrested in 2020 while working in Indiana. Murbarger Appears at Status Hearing in Wayne County Court Tuesday Megan was initially considered a missing person until her remains were located in a rural area in Wayne County Illinois in 2018. However Wayne County court documents indicate that he has been or will be faced with: 3 counts murder or intent to kill or injure Either 1 count of concealing a homicidal death 2 counts of home invasion. Brodey Murbarger. They dont want to pay for the property.. [Exclusive: People who found remains in Wayne Co. talk to 14 News]. Welcome to the subreddit! A hearing on all pending motions in the case is scheduled for March 18 with a May 2 setting being eyed as a possible start date for a jury trial. As reported in October, Brodey Murbarger was found guilty of the murder of Megan Nichols, of Fairfield, Illinois. FBI investigator William OSullivan testified Wednesday about the more than 7,000 text messages exchanged between Murbarger and Nichols between December 2013 and February 2014. EVANSVILLE, Ind. Meanwhile, the abandoned home has been plagued by graffiti, vandalism and arson. The state then rested its case and the defense not only called Murbargers father Jayson Murbarger to the stand but called the defendant himself to testify. The FBI, along with many law enforcement organizations, including the Vanderburgh County Sheriffs Office and the Evansville Police Department, continue to investigate Megans case. Copyright 2020 WFIE. Our biggest concern was that something of value didnt turn into a piece of junk, but the city may be too late in its efforts to save the house, Bass said. There are many other important things that need to be taken care of financially in Placentia, she said. All rights reserved. If you have any information regarding the circumstances of Megans death, please contact the FBI at (217) 522-9675. Man found guilty of murder in Wayne County teen's death He apologized to the victims' family and raised $1.6 million for them, according to the New York Times.But the family insisted he . In Japanese court, Alkonis pleaded guilty to negligent driving. He added that theres a bit of relief now that an arrest has been made. WAYNE COUNTY A 27-year-old former Fairfield man has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for strangling his then-high school girlfriend to death nearly 10 years ago. A 24 year old is not a former bf. Murbarger faces a murder charge after an Illinois grand jury indicted him on September 25, 2020, in connection with Megan Nichols' disappearance and murder, the press release stated. The owners then tried to sell the house in 1990 but couldnt get anywhere close to the price they paid, Lee said. WAYNE COUNTY A Wayne County jury has started deliberations in the case charging 26-year-old Brodey Murbarger with the 2014 murder and disappearance of his high school girlfriend Megan Nichols. (Vanderburgh Co. Arrest made in connection with death of Megan Nichols We have boarded and reboarded that house 15 times in the last two years, Lee said. Brodey Murbarger was arrested at his place of employment Wednesday without incident. The Murder of Megan Nichols - Criminology | iHeart They have been trying either to find a builder who would buy and clean up the site or pursue some other option that would make city officials happy while unloading the property. Friends remember slain Fairfield teen | Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW) Lee said that proposal is on hold because talks are underway to sell the property to a builder who will renovate and move the Kraemer house to another spot on the parcel. Brodey Ian Murbarger, 24, of Evansville, Indiana, was taken into custody outside his place of employment and transported to the Vanderburgh County Jail, according to a press release issued by. Im local to her and her family, local radio just announced that the former boyfriend, Brodey Murbarger, has been arrested in connection with her disappearance and death. Brodey Murbarger was arrested in 2020.. Evansville, Indiana Area. On Wednesday, an FBI investigator told the jury about text messages between Murbarger and Nichols which. Murbarger stated he disposed of the shirt in a ditch. Evansville man linked to murder of Megan Nichols, victims friend speaks out, Evansville hotel manager accused of stealing from guest, Silver Alert canceled for elderly Evansville woman, Dispatch: Missing persons case underway after car found under Twin Bridges. What happens when the murderer doesnt get caught? Court then moved outside so jurors could have the chance to see the car themselves. I had never had someone that I was close to that had died and, you know, that was traumatic," August said. WAYNE COUNTY A Wayne County jury has started deliberations in the case charging 26-year-old Brodey Murbarger with the 2014 murder and disappearance of his high school girlfriend Megan Nichols. Tesla Mexico plant means $10-billion investment, Nuevo Leon governor says, Assistants kindly request that you stop calling them assistants, Working more on the weekends? The once-elegant . Press J to jump to the feed. https://www.14news.com/2022/10/12/ill-murder-suspect-takes-stand-day-8-trial/?outputType=amp. The City Council has declared the house a public nuisance, and the city Planning Commission voted this month for abatement. It wasn't until 2017 that Nichols' remains were discovered in a rural area of Wayne County. In March, the landowners had preliminary talks with the Placentia-Yorba Linda Art Assn. The family called police to report her missing at about 1 am July 4, 2014. Brodey Ian Murbarger, 24, was indicted in September by a grand jury. As Dateline previously reported, the 15-year-old was last seen on July 3, 2014, at her home in Fairfield, Illinois, where she lived with her mother and stepfather. Sentencing rescheduled for man convicted of Wayne County teen's murder (WFIE) - Its week two of a murder trial in Fairfield, Illinois for the man accused in the 2014 murder of 15-year old Megan Nichols. The house is one of only seven historical homes in the city, according to Donna Bass, chairwoman of Placentias historical committee. A chapter still remains unclosed as friends and families continue to wait. Brodey Murbarger Murder Trial Delayed - Effingham's News and Sports At the time of Megan's disappearance, Brodey lived in Fairfield and had allegedly been dating the victim. Some murders are so shocking and evil that they capture the mind of the general public and it wont let go until a killer is brought to justice. https://www.tristatehomepage.com/news/local-news/closing-arguments-wrap-up-in-murbarger-murder-trial-jury-to-deliberate/. The father and son were asked about blood found in the defendants car prosecutors argued was used to transport Megans body to a rural Boyleston field where it was buried. Holden August, a friend of Nichols, heard the news on Wednesday morning. Brodey Ian Murbarger, 24, was arrested Wednesday, October 8, 2020, in the 2014 murder of 15-year-old Megan Nichols whose body was found nearly three years ago in a shallow grave in southeastern. GUILTY - IL - Megan Nichols, 15, found deceased, Fairfield - Websleuths Murbarger did address Judge Molt, asking for leniency. [Previous: Im sick,' says woman who discovered Megan Nichols remains]. Credit: Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office, Credit: Evansville Police Department/WFIE, Search for accused Johnson County scammer ends in arrest, Boone County Deputy Jacob Pickett remembered on 5 year anniversary of line of duty death, Live Doppler 13 Weather Blog: Record-breaking rain raises ongoing flood concerns, Live Doppler 13 Weather Blog: Mild air returns with more rain, snow returning late week, Datelines digital series Missing in America, Two women missing in southwestern Indiana, Suspect in 1986 cold case dies months after confession. Megan was dating an 18-year-old named Brodey Murbarger, and the relationship had caused a rift between Megan and her mother. Megan was last seen alive on July 3, 2014, at her . In July, a fire damaged the propertys garage, according to Placentia police. Jury returns guilty verdict in Murbarger murder trial Its been six dark years for Nicholss family and friends, whose questions were left unanswered. A farmer found the remains three years after the 15-year-old girl was reported missing. She had left her cell phone behind at the house. As we previously reported, Brodey Murbarger, the man found guilty of murdering Fairfield teen Megan Nichols, was scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday afternoon. The defense, however, argued the evidence is speculation and circumstantial. 25-year-old Brodey I. Murbarger appeared in a status hearing via Zoom in Wayne County Circuit Court yesterday morning. The documents show hes accused of strangling and suffocating Megan and burying her in a shallow grave. Nichols, 15 was reported missing from her Fairfield, Illinois home in the early morning hours of July 3, 2014. Multiple agencies in Evansville, Indiana took Brodey Murbarger, 24, into custody Wednesday morning. The trial continues on Wednesday. Murbarger was set for trial September 19 for the slaying of 15-year-old Megan Nichols of Fairfield. Three are for first degree murder. No further details were released. It wasn't until 2017 that Nichols' remains were discovered in a rural area of Wayne County. He was arrested Wednesday without incident and is in jail awaiting extradition back to Illinois. Brodey Murbarger was arrested in 2020. Friends say . The Wayne County Circuit Clerk told us Wednesday that Murbarger's sentencing date was being delayed. Murbarger was arrested in 2020 while working in Indiana. According to the clerk, Murbarger will now be sentenced on Friday, Jan. 27, at 2 p.m. Murbargerwas arrestedin connection with Nichols' death in 2020 after she went missing in 2014 at the age of 15. A search warrant was also executed at Murbargers home at the Lakewood West apartment complex in Evansville, Indiana. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. The owners say the city should, particularly if officials are so set on preserving the home. The family, according to Lee and Bass, is not interested in paying to restore the home. It was hard to get a configuration that looks nice, said Lee, adding that the proposal has been drafted but not yet officially submitted to the city. Jail) [Previous: 'I'm sick,' says woman who discovered Megan Nichols'. An Illinois grand jury issued the indictment for Murbarger in connection with the murder and disappearance of Megan Nichols. Under that plan, new homes would have been built around the Kraemer house for a colony of resident artists. Call or Email Renovari Counseling for a free phone consultation now - (714) 248-0598. EVANSVILLE, Ind. Jayson Murbarger testified the trunk on his sons car often leaked water, but he was unaware of any other fluids that may be in the trunk. 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The house has slid from being a city jewel to a prominent eyesore. Brodey I. Murbarger has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for the murder of his former girlfriend, 15-year-old Megan Nichols of Fairfield. Nichols, 15 was reported missing from her Fairfield, Illinois home in the early morning hours of July 3, 2014. They also reminded jurors that Murbarger told others hed gone to Megans Fairfield home around 9:30 p.m. July 3, 2014 the night she disappeared. There were a few cryptic clues left behind at the home, one was Megan's cell phone which had been completely wiped. Brodey Ian Murbarger of Evansville, Indiana has been arrested in connection with the murder of his former girlfriend, Megan Nichols. During closing arguments Thursday, the state of Illinois argued that Murbarger has changed his story several times through interviews with police, claiming all stories contradict one another. The Murder of Megan Nichols - Criminology (podcast) | Listen Notes [Click here to see the indictment documents obtained by 14 News]. Murbarger trial nearing an end | Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW) Bass, the Placentia historian, said city officials balk at taking over the renovation because it will be so expensive. I would love to see that house be taken and refurbished and something decent made there.. Indiana man charged in connection with 2014 murder of Illinois teen Brodey Murbarger was arrested for Murder on today's date . When youre hanging up a poster with your friends picture on it, thats when its like, Oh, this is real, Holden said. This is a subreddit for those cases of murder that go unsolved for years, even decades. Once back in the courtroom, the jury also heard from the FBI agent who collected Megan Nichols remains once they were discovered, and saw the pictures from the scene. (WFIE) - It's week two of a murder trial in Fairfield, Illinois for the man accused in the 2014 murder of 15-year old Megan Nichols. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Nichols was 15 when she disappeared on July 3, 2014 from her home in Fairfield, Illinois. Murbarger remains in custody in Indiana pending extradition to Illinois. FAIRFIELD, Ill (WEHT) Brodey Murbarger, 26, was found guilty of first degree murder on Thursday after the jury deliberated for only an hour. UPDATED: Murbarger found guilty of Nichols' murder | WMIX According to NBC News, she was considered a missing person as police said she withdrew money from a bank before her disappearance. Her family didn't believe she was actually a runaway though and her disappearance was featured in Datelines digital series Missing in America.". Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Copyright 2022 WFIE. Built in 1918, the house now waits in a state of dire disrepair on its 1.5-acre Angelina Avenue lot while its owners and city officials wrangle over the next turn in its fortunes. You have permission to edit this article. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. The man at the center of a high profile murder case out of Wayne County, Illinois, learned his sentence on Friday. Murbarger, 24 was taken into custody Wednesday morning at his place of employment in Evansville and lodged in the Vanderburgh County jail pending extradition to Illinois to stand trial on multiple charges related to the death. UPDATE: Brodey Murbarger found guilty of murdering Megan Nichols in 2014. The man at the center of a high profile murder case out of Wayne County, Illinois, learned his sentence on Friday. They paid $2,800 a month for rent. The last tenants were 12 members of Cal State Fullertons Sigma Nu fraternity, who got a conditional-use permit from the city to live there from 1991 to 1997. The plans we submitted before had up to 10 to 14 homes, which was higher density. Pre-trial Hearing Held Tuesday for Brodey I. Murbarger The first-degree murder trial of Brodey Murbarger has been delayed again. RC Beverage Company. The agent who led the FBIs search of the car showed jurors where they found a red stain in the trunk, underneath the trunk lining below the locking mechanism. Indiana man charged in connection with 2014 murder of Illinois teen I am at work and had a lot of background noise but Im pretty confident that is what I heard. Also, Im no expert so I dont understand the multiple counts of murder and dont want to speculate. Last November a Wayne County jury found Brodey Murbarger responsible for strangling or smothering Megan Nichols to death. . He said he then placed the shirt in the trunk, where leaking water caused the blood to spread. An Evansville, Indiana man is facing charges in the disappearance and murder of teenager Megan Nichols in 2014. Jury moves outside to see suspect's car on day 7 of Ill. murder trial We're continuing to follow the outcome out of a murder trial that's happening in Wayne County, Illinois. We will continue to provide updates on the case. Megans mother, Kathy Jo Hutchcraft, discovered her daughter missing from her room around 11 p.m. Dateline reported that she later found a note Megan reportedly left behind, telling her that she loved her, but she would never be happy at home. The owners say theyve asked the city for demolition permits in the past, but all those requests were denied. On September 29, a Wayne County Grand Jury indicted Murbarger on six separate charges. Updated: Oct 13, 2022 / 04:08 PM CDT FAIRFIELD, Ill (WEHT) - Brodey Murbarger, 26, was found guilty of first degree murder on Thursday after the jury deliberated for only an hour. When youre hanging up a poster with your friends picture on it, thats when its like, Oh, this is real, August said. According to Lee, the owners continued to lose money on the property even when it was occupied because the monthly mortgage and taxes are about $4,500. Murbarger was found guilty of the murder of Megan Nichols this afternoon after approx. This was an on-record portion of the proceedings, meaning defense, prosecution, and jury were there along with the judge and court reporter. Website: www.renovaricounseling.com. Brodey Murbarger - Quality Control Laboratory Technician - LinkedIn No further info regarding charges has been released. Megan was dating an 18-year-old named Brodey Murbarger, an 'Based' GOP Senator Tries New Method of International Diplomacy Murbarger is awaiting trial for the 2014 slaying of 15-year-old Megan Nichols of Fairfield. Brodey Murbarger was arrested in 2020 and is facing a first-degree murder. Its one of those things where you kind of always knew it was him," Hold told WFIE. But FBI Public Information Officer Brad Ware could not confirm these details to Dateline due to the case being an ongoing investigation. According to the Navigator Journal, Megan and Brodey Murbarger had previously dated. According to authorities, prior to her disappearance, Megan withdrew money from a local bank while on her bicycle. The remains were found in a rural location in Wayne County, Illinois, FBI Public Information Officer Brad Ware previously told Dateline. WAYNE CO., Ill. (WFIE) - The trial started Monday morning for the man accused in the 2014 murder of Megan Nichols. The manner of death was determined to be homicide. We're told that the maximum sentence Murbarger faced for the crime was 60 years, and that the minimum possible sentence was 20 years. I think the Kraemer house has tremendous possibilities, Bass said. The radio station hasnt updated their transcripts yet since this morning. Ill update whenever I get more info. Nichols had gone missing in 2014 at the age of 15, but in 2017, her remains were discovered in a rural area of Wayne County, eventually leading to Murbarger's arrest. Parlor Doughnuts hold soft opening for new location on Main St. Man arrested on murder charges in Providence. Edited spelling and corrected charges as of 2:00 PM. Murbarger was arrested in connection with Nichols' death in 2020 after she went missing in 2014 at the age of 15. According to Lee, the owners have lost a substantial amount of money on the property, which cost $750,000 in 1988. The Court on Tuesday issued a protective order for Megan Nichols medical records. There was a problem saving your notification. An Indiana man was arrested Wednesday for the 2014 murder of an Illinois teen whose body was found nearly three years ago in a shallow grave. Theres no sense of closure and the families of the victims are left devastated. Kraemer House: a Milestone or a Millstone? - Los Angeles Times 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. After deliberating for more than an hour, a jury found Brodey Murbarger guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Megan Nichols. Murbarger is strangled and suffocated Megan Nichols to death in her Fairfield home on July 3, 2014, and later buried her body in a shallow grave in a rural part of Wayne County. EVANSVILLE, Ind. A month later, they were identified as those of Nichols. One month later, on January 26, 2018, authorities positively identified the remains as belonging to Megan. WAYNE COUNTY, IL A 26-year-old man charged with the murder of his 15-year-old girlfriend nearly 10 years ago is seeking to have his trial moved from Wayne County where the young girls body was found in a shallow grave years after her disappearance. As they see it, there are only two options left: Sell the property to a builder for development or allow the city to take over the site and pay for the restoration. Brodey Ian Murbarger, 24, of Evansville, Indiana, was taken into custody outside his place of employment and transported to the Vanderburgh County Jail, according to a press release issued by the Vanderburgh County Sheriffs Office this week. Brodey Ian Murbarger, 24, was arrested Wednesday without incident and is in jail awaiting extradition back to Illinois. In closing arguments Thursday, prosecutors told the jury Murbargers story has changed several times and that the varying stories contradict each other. In count three, Murbarger is accused of intentionally or knowingly caused the death of Megan Nichols by manner and means to the Grand Jury unknown, causing the death of Megan Nichols. In Count four, the Concealment of a Homicidal Death alleges that Murbarger knowingly concealed the death of Megan Nichols by causing her body to be buried in a shallow grave in a remote area of Wayne County. The act allegedly occurred on or between July 3, 2014 and December 26, 2017. In counts 5 and 6, Murbarger is accused of Home Invasion in that he allegedly committed a Criminal Sexual Abuse against Megan P. Nichols in that said defendant committed an an act of sexual conduct or sexual penetration with Megan P. Nichols, who was at least 13 years of age but under 17 years of age and the defendant was less than 5 years older than Megan P. Nichols. Its really hard to process, August said. Jena Reynolds, Marriage & Family Therapist, Placentia, CA, 92870 EVANSVILLE, Ind. The property is highly problematic now, said Lee, because the owners lost their liability insurance in 1998. Brodey Murbarger has been sentenced to prison for the murder of Fairfield, Illinois teen Megan Nichols. Evansville man linked to murder of Megan Nichols, victim's friend UPDATE: Brodey Murbarger found guilty of murdering Megan Nichols in 2014. Another was a note that Megan had written that contained very . More than three years later, the skeletal remains of Megan were found in a shallow grave south of Fairfield. He was arrested Wednesday without incident and is in jail awaiting extradition back to Illinois. While authorities first considered Megan a runaway, according to Dateline, her family didnt agree. According to the clerk, Murbarger will now be sentenced on Friday, Jan. 27, at 2 p.m. So finally leading to an arrest is great, but I guess I will truly be at ease if he is found guilty - if justice can truly be served.. Renovari Counseling, Marriage & Family Therapist, Placentia, CA, 92870 Rosenthal said, however, that the requests were stalled because the city was waiting for acceptable renovation proposals from the owners. One is for concealment of homicidal death, and two are for home invasion. Murbarger sentenced for Megan Nichols' murder | WMIX The documents show hes accused of strangling and suffocating Megan and burying her in a shallow grave. All rights reserved. Then in December of 2017, remains were found in a rural area in Illinois. Members of the Kraemer family, for their part, apparently have distanced themselves from the dilapidated house that bears their name. Jury moves outside to see suspects car on day 7 of Ill. murder trial, Evansville hotel manager accused of stealing from guest, Silver Alert canceled for elderly Evansville woman, Dispatch: Missing persons case underway after car found under Twin Bridges. You have permission to edit this article. Follow 44News on Facebook, or download the free 44News apps on Android or Apple devices. But the city balked because of the homes historical significance, he said. Lawyer for former Wayne County area man on trial for murdering - WMIX Following a telephone conference on Wednesday in Wayne County Circuit Court, Murbarger's defense attorney requested a continuance until October 3. As reported in October, Brodey Murbarger was found guilty of the murder of Megan Nichols, of Fairfield, Illinois. Murder trial underway for man accused of killing Ill. teen