A Tennessee woman has been indicted in connection with the stabbing death of 62-year-old jeweler Patrick Murphy in a New Orleans hotel room.
Magen Hall, 25, was charged with armed robbery and obstruction of justice and with the second-degree murder of Murphy in the three-count indictment handed up by an Orleans Parish grand jury.
The defendant’s name also is spelled Megan Hall in some court records.
Murphy was the owner of Murphy Jewelers, which has three stores in eastern Pennsylvania.
A housekeeper discovered Murphy’s body at 11:41 a.m. inside a room registered to Hall at the Empress Hotel at 1317 Ursulines Ave. New Orleans police homicide detective Patrick Guidry testified at a preliminary hearing in March that Murphy had been killed by three stab wounds — one to his neck and two to his abdomen.
Advertisement
Hall has remained jailed since her March 3 arrest, in lieu of a $750,000 bond set for the murder allegation.
Hall faces a mandatory lifetime prison sentence if convicted of the murder charge, according to a press release from District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro’s office. An armed robbery conviction carries a penalty of 10 to 99 years in state prison, while obstruction of justice in a homicide investigation is punishable by up to 40 years.
Closing With Confidence: How Bailey's Fine Jewelry Achieved Outstanding Results With Wilkerson
When Trey Bailey, President and CEO of Bailey's Fine Jewelry, decided to close the Crabtree location in Raleigh, North Carolina after 15 years, he knew the decision needed to be handled with intention and professionalism. The goal was clear: exit the location while maintaining financial strength and honoring the store's legacy.
Having worked with Wilkerson successfully in the past, Bailey understood the value of their comprehensive approach. "They understood both the emotional and financial sides of the store closing sale," Trey explains. "Their reputation for professionalism, results and care made it a very easy decision."
The results exceeded expectations. Wilkerson helped Bailey's sell through significant inventory while maintaining the dignity of the closing process. "They don't just run a sale, they help close a chapter in the best way possible," Bailey says, strongly recommending Wilkerson to any jeweler facing a similar transition.
