Justice for Megan: Murbarger Sentenced to 50 years in IDOC. 

20230127_161603

Justice for Megan: Murbarger Sentenced to 50 years in IDOC.

 

The courtroom was packed on Friday, January 27 as Brody I Murbarger appeared in Wayne County Court for Sentencing in the murder trial of 15-year-old Megan Nichols.  

The hearing began with the state, represented by Michael Falagario and Myra Yelle-Clark of the Illinois Attorney General’s office alongside State’s Attorney Kevin Kakac, making their argument for tough sentencing in the regards to the First-Degree Murder Charge. Teresa Miller with the Attorneys General’s Office read impact statements from Megan’s Stepfather Jerod Hutchcraft, and Janet Poole, Megan’s Grandmother; followed by an impact statement from a family friend. All statements described the profound loss felt by the family, and friends, over the heinous way Megan was killed and disposed of. 

Defense Attorney Christian Baril, would also enter four out of the ten defense witness statements heard in court on behalf of Murbarger’s character; each describing Murbarger as highly intelligent and citing his academic accomplishments. Accomplishments that the state pointed out had been achieved after Megan’s disappearance.   

Murbarger sat virtually emotionless, staring at the wall or floor for most of the proceedings; finally looking up and appearing to wipe his nose during the reading of the defense witness statements. In his final statement to the court, Murbarger maintained his innocence, but claimed to feel responsibility for many of his actions that led up to the disappearance of Nichols. 

In his final ruling, Judge Molt cited Murbarger’s lack of juvenile or criminal record, however stating that a sentence must be passed down to discourage others in the future from committing such heinous acts. Judge Molt then passed a sentence of 50 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, not entitled to sentencing credits, meaning Murbarger will serve 100% of his prison sentence.  

The defense now has 30 days to file an Appeal.