Roger Wayne Murray

Murderer

2known / alleged victims

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Case Facts

Gender: male
Country: USA
Location: Mohave County, Arizona, USA
Date of birth: J uly 28, 1970
Age at first offence: 21
Characteristics: armed robbery, robbery
Victim profile: Dean Morrison and Jackie Appelhans
Method of murder: Shooting
Date(s) of murder: May 14, 1991
Years active: 1991
Date of arrest: —
Status: Sentenced to death
Sentenced to death on October 26, 1992

Case Summary

Case details

Roger Wayne Murray was sentenced to death on October 26, 1992.

The case involved Robert Murray and Roger Murray. The victims were Dean Morrison and Jackie Appelhans.

Background

On May 11, 1991, Robert and Roger Murray spent the night in Las Vegas, Nevada, and bought a .12 gauge shotgun. The following day, the Murrays drove to Kingman.

During the night of May 14, 1991, they decided to rob someone.

The offence

While driving through Grasshopper Junction, 30 miles north of Kingman on the way to Las Vegas, the Murrays stopped at the home of Dean Morrison and Jackie Appelhans. The Murrays entered the home while armed, and had the two victims lie down on the floor side-by-side.

They shot each of the victims at least twice with a .38 revolver. They shot Jackie Appelhans twice more with a .22 rifle. They then shot each of the victims once in the head with a shotgun.

After the shootings, the Murrays ransacked the house and fled.

Proceedings

Presiding Judge: James E. Chavez
Prosecutor: James J. Zack

Timeline

May 11, 1991 — Robert and Roger Murray spent the night in Las Vegas, Nevada, and bought a .12 gauge shotgun.
May 12, 1991 — The following day, the Murrays drove to Kingman.
May 14, 1991 — During the night, the Murrays decided to rob someone.
May 28, 1992 — Start of trial.
June 12, 1992 — Verdict.
October 26, 1992 — Sentencing.

Sentencing

The sentencing on October 26, 1992 included the following aggravating circumstances:

Multiple homicides (both victims)
Especially cruel, heinous, and depraved (both victims)
Pecuniary gain

The mitigating circumstances were stated as:

None sufficient to call for leniency

Appeals

The published opinion was:

State v. Murray (Roger), 184 Ariz. 9, 906 P.2d 542 (1995).

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