Suspect Shelley A. Murphy, 50
Victim Daye Lynn Murphy, 61
July 25, 2018
Danville, Vermillion County, Illinois
Daye Lynn was married to her wife Shelley only three months before Daye Lynn was found deceased. On July 25, 2018, Daye Lynn’s body was found inside their mobile home on Vance Lane in Danville, Illinois. It wasn’t until her sister came to their home to get her sunglasses when she saw Daye Lynn on the floor.
Three days before her death, evidence showed the couple were drinking alcohol and possibly using meth all day inside their home which at some point turned in to an argument. There was an altercation, and Shelley struck Daye Lynn with a blow to her head causing a massive blood clot to her brain. Daye Lynn lay dead inside their trailer home for three days without calling 911.
Shelley lied stating she had conversations with Daye Lynn while she laid on the floor for those three days asking her if she wanted help.
Shelley claimed self-defense and made the argument that her mistake was not contacting 911 for help.
Shelley was charged with three counts of First Degree Murder. She pleaded not guilty. Bond was at 1$ Million (10%).
Prosecutors presented evidence of her death showing nine strikes to Daye Lynn’s body. Two of them to her head, a bruising to her eye, under her chin and defensive marks on her body.
The News Gazette followed this trial sharing detailed accounts throughout the trial, while in an uncommon turn, the suspect, Shelley took the stand. “I made the wrong choice. I admit that, but it’s not murder,” was her defense.
The News Gazette:
“The prosecutors pressed her on several points, including why she walked more than a mile to the Black Bear tavern to call her mother but never called 911 in the three days her wife lay face down on the floor, bruised and unresponsive, following a fight that left bloodstains on the walls of their mobile home.
Shelly Murphy testified that she feared repercussions of calling 911, saying her wife’s medications might be taken away or her wife might be put in a mental ward.
“I didn’t want her to be mad at me,”
“
After a three day trial, the Jury deliberated for two hours before bringing in a guilty verdict of First Degree Murder which brings a sentence of 20 to 60 years. Because the victim was over 60 years of age, Shelley was facing up to 100 years behind bars. Shelley was ultimately sentenced to 50 years in prison for killing her wife.
Shelley showed no emotion after the verdict was read.
MESSAGE FROM THE ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE
This message was posted on their website December 6, 2019:
“Domestic violence offenders are some of the most dangerous and manipulative perpetrators that live in our community and my office while working with the Illinois Attorney General’s office will do everything in our power to protect victims and bring the offenders to justice,” Vermilion County State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy said.
Assistant Attorneys General Steve Nate and John Carroll handled the case for Raoul’s Criminal Enforcement Division.
OBITUARY
Daye Lynn Murphy, 61, of Paris, Illinois, passed away on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. She was retired after twenty years with Cadillac Products of Paris.
She was born May 11, 1957, in Paris, the daughter of the late Virgil and Patricia (Martin) Murphy.
Survivors include a son, Ryan (Melissa) Murphy, and two grandchildren, Tim Lindsey and Devin Murphy, all of Paris; five sisters, Shannon (Gerald) Bradley of Newburgh, Indiana, Shelley (Steve) Jones, Megan (Doug) Gill, and Bridget (Brook) Dahlin all of Paris, and Courtney (Steve) Trego of Conway, South Carolina; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Daye Lynn will be remembered as a friendly and outgoing person who never ever met a stranger.
For those who wish, the family suggests that memorials be made to the Human Resources Center of Edgar County.
SERVICE INFORMATION
Memorial visitation was from 5 - 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 31, 2018, at Templeton Funeral Home in Paris. Interment will be private at a later date.
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