Jail nurse accused of poisoning husband reportedly wanted to marry inmate
Iberia, Missouri -- A Missouri corrections nurse reportedly said she wanted to marry an inmate serving a life sentence for murder before she was charged in the poisoning death of her husband. The Jefferson City News-Tribune reports that Miller County authorities announced Friday that 40-year-old Amy Murray, of Iberia, has been charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of her husband, Joshua Murray.
His body was found after the fire on Dec. 11 after an arson fire at the couple's home. The State Fire Marshall's Office and the Miller County Sheriff's Department determined that an accelerant was used to start the fire in the master bedroom. An autopsy determined that he died of poisoning before the blaze.
Citing a Miller County sheriff's department probable cause statement, the paper reports that Amy Murray developed a romantic relationship with the inmate at Jefferson City Correctional Center, where she had been employed as a nurse. Investigators reportedly identified the inmate, who was convicted of second-degree murder, by listening to prison phone recordings. Amy Murray allegedly told the inmate she wanted to divorce her husband, and later told the inmate they could get married because her husband was dead.
Murray also allegedly spoke of getting the inmate a lawyer so he could be released early.
According to the paper, cellphone records show Amy Murray had been at the couple's home a half an hour before the fire was reported to 911. She allegedly later told investigators she left the home with her 11-year-old son and two dogs and drove to an Osage Beach McDonald's, and said when she returned the smoke was too heavy to go inside.
No attorney is listed for Amy Murray in online court records. Bond is set at $750,000.