JEFFERSON COUNTY — A jury of eight men and six women heard opening arguments yesterday in the first-degree murder and arson trial of a 27-year-old Chicago man accused of the 2015 strangling death of a Mt. Vernon woman in her home.
(Source: MVPD)
Steven Murphy is on trial in Jefferson County Court for strangling Tamara Malin last year and then setting her home on fire with her body inside.
Defense attorney Matt Vaughn hinted that the evidence presented at trial could show Murphy may have been involved with the fire, but he said it may not be compelling enough to show who exactly killed her.
However, a forensic chemist testified Monday of a possible link between a glue like substance found on Malin’s body at the scene and on the jeans belonging to Steven Murphy.
The trial is expected to continue through the rest of the week.