In Westmoreland County Court yesterday, Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio granted yet another extension of time for Kevin Murphy in his appeal of his murder conviction for the shooting deaths of his mother, sister, and aunt ten years ago.
In June, the judge granted Murphy an eighth extension of time to file his amended motion for relief. This time, the continuation is for the hiring of a ballistics expert to study the .22 caliber pistol that investigators say was used to kill the women at the family’s glass business. The judge granted the request on August 8th, but vacated that ruling four days later, scheduling a hearing on the matter for September 6th. The new continuance reschedules that hearing for the next available motions court.
Meanwhile, on August 16th the judge also granted a ninth appeal for a continuance of the petition for relief, giving attorney Brian Aston another ninety days.
Murphy has had numerous appeals denied by both state Superior and Supreme courts. He is serving his time on death row at SCI Greene County.
