Julius Murphy

Case details

Julius Murphy (TDCJ Number 999279) was born on 10/25/1978. He was received on 08/18/1998, aged 19. He was a warehouseman, food service, and laborer prior to prison. He had no prior prison record. He was charged with capital murder.

Murphy was described as male, race Black, hair color Black, height 5' 10", weight 163, eye color Brown, Native county, and Native state. The county listed was Bowie.

Timeline

• 09/17/1997 — Julius Jerome Murphy, Christopher Solomon, Julius Murphy, Javarrow Young, Virginia Marie Wood, and Christina Davis attended a party at Murphy's mother's home on the afternoon of September 17, 1997.
• 09/19/97 — Murphy shot a 26-year male one time in the head with a .25 caliber semi-automatic weapon during a robbery.
• 08/18/1998 — Murphy was received, aged 19.
• 08/18/1998 — Murphy was sentenced to death.
• 10/25/1978 — Murphy was born.

The offence

On 09/19/97, Murphy shot Jason Erie, a 26-year male, one time in the head with a .25 caliber semi-automatic weapon during a robbery.

Murphy demanded Erie’s wallet after exiting the car armed with the gun. Erie initially protested and refused to hand over his property, and then began to comply. Murphy fired a single shot from close range into Jason’s forehead and retrieved the stolen wallet from the spot it had fallen. The wallet was later discovered along a nearby road where Murphy told investigators it had been discarded. Erie was alive when rescue workers arrived, but died a short time later.

Wood testified that Murphy shot the victim and took his wallet.

Background

Julius Jerome Murphy, Christopher Solomon, Javarrow Young, Virginia Marie Wood, and Christina Davis attended a party at Murphy's mother's home on the afternoon of September 17, 1997. Young testified that Solomon engaged him in a conversation about a robbery. Murphy was present during this conversation but did not talk.

Solomon later proceeded to show Young a pistol from the glove compartment of Wood's car. Solomon then passed the gun around to several others, including Young and Murphy. The gun was subsequently returned to Solomon, who pocketed it.

Young, Wood, and Davis testified that two vehicles of people traveled together to visit some out-of-town friends. One vehicle, a truck, was driven by Young's girlfriend and contained passengers Young, Young's daughter, and a friend named Phil. The other vehicle, a car, was driven by Solomon and contained as passengers Murphy, Wood, and Davis.

Upon returning from their out-of-town trip, the two vehicles stopped at a gas station. Young testified that he conversed with Solomon. Solomon related that he had seen a man with car trouble on the side of the road, and the man had waved, indicating he needed assistance. Solomon told Young that he was going to "jack him" - a statement Young interpreted as meaning Solomon was going to rob the man on the road.

Young declined to get involved in the robbery but told Solomon "to do what they got to do, and go." Wood and Davis saw Solomon engage in a conversation but did not hear what transpired.

Young saw Solomon's car stop by the man's car on the side of the road. Young drove his truck to a different gas station and waited. When Solomon's car failed to appear after twenty to thirty minutes, Young drove his truck towards town. On the way, he saw the victim, Jason Erie, lying on the ground. Young flagged down a passing ambulance and directed it to the scene. Later, he talked to the police.

Wood and Davis testified that Solomon drove Wood's car, Wood sat in the front passenger seat, Murphy sat behind Solomon, and Davis sat behind Wood. Murphy and Davis were not getting along because they had been fighting earlier on the trip.

Investigation and arrest

After Murphy and his friends fled through Arkansas, to Tennessee, and finally ended up in Arlington, Texas, they were apprehended by police.

Both Davis and Wood testified that, sometime after the incident with Erie, Davis ran from the car and contacted the police.

Trial

Solomon drove Wood's car, with Wood in the front passenger seat and Murphy and Davis behind. Solomon pointed to the side of the road to Erie, who was apparently having car trouble. Solomon gave Erie's car a "jump," and Erie paid Solomon five dollars.

According to Davis, as Erie headed away, Solomon told Murphy that Erie had a lot of money in his wallet and said something to the effect of "we should jack him." At first, Murphy resisted the idea, but Solomon goaded Murphy until he agreed. Murphy then said, "Okay, give me the gun. I'll do it."

Solomon told Wood to take the gun out, Wood removed the gun from the glove compartment, and Murphy grabbed the gun. According to Wood, after Erie paid Solomon five dollars, Murphy told her to hand him the gun and she complied.

Wood heard Solomon tell Murphy that he should shoot and kill the man because "that's how I got caught the last time." Davis was not listening to the conversation but she heard the last phrase "that's how I got caught the last time."

Davis testified that she grabbed Murphy and told him not to go, but Murphy pushed her away and exited the car. Davis put her head down and heard a gun fire.

After Murphy stepped from his vehicle armed with the gun, he demanded Erie’s wallet. As Erie initially protested and then began to comply, Murphy fired a single shot from close range into Jason’s forehead and retrieved the stolen wallet from the spot it had fallen.

Wood testified that Solomon and Murphy later bragged about the bullet shell remaining inside the gun's chamber. Wood also testified that Solomon coldly bragged that he was going to keep the five dollars given by Erie as a souvenir.

Solomon and Murphy did not testify. Wood, Davis, and Young testified as witnesses for the prosecution.

Christina Davis testified about fights with Murphy. She testified that she fought with Murphy on the day prior to the murder in which he struck her several times. She also explained to the jury how she and Murphy had fought the day they were arrested and how Murphy continued to hit her and threatened to shoot her in the leg to keep her from leaving.

Solomon, Murphy, and Wood were subsequently charged with capital murder.

Sentencing

Murphy was sentenced to death on August 18, 1998.

Outcome

Murphy received a sentence of death.

Other details

Co-defendants: None listed in the case details section.

Christopher Solomon, Javarrow Young, Virginia Marie Wood, and Christina Davis attended the party at Murphy's mother's home and were involved in the events described. Wood, Davis, and Young testified in court. Murphy and Solomon did not testify.

Murphy told investigators the wallet had been discarded along a nearby road.