“House of Horrors” infant murder trial ends, judge to deliver verdict

June 14, 2019 5:05 pm

By: Amanda Pitts

alpitts@abc6.com

@APittsABC6

WORCESTER, Mass. (WLNE) – After a grueling eight days of testimony, the Erika Murray “House of Horrors” infant murder trial has come to a close.

Murray, 35, is facing one murder charge and several other charges after three dead infants were found inside her squalid Blackstone home in 2014.

On Friday at Worcester Superior Court, closing arguments took place but not before the prosecution brought their rebuttal witness to the stand.

Forensic psychiatrist, Dr. Fabian Saleh, said Murray knew exactly what she was doing when hiding the pregnancies and births. Saleh spent time evaluating Murray in 2017 and 2018 while she was incarcerated.

“She was masterful with it. If it were not for this moment in August, of her being discovered, who knows what would have happened here,” said Saleh while on the witness stand Friday.

The defense has maintained their stance that Murray has an antisocial personality disorder. Saleh said, while Murray was likely depressed from being in an abusive relationship, she’s not mentally ill.

During closing arguments, the prosecution argued that this is a strong case of neglect.

“Erika Murray disposed of the bodies. She dumped them in a closet like objects.”

Murray’s defense attorney, Keith Halpern, teared up when closing, saying Murray doesn’t lack empathy, but her mental illness has impacted her sense of reality.

“It is a tragedy for everybody involved, but it is not a murder,” argued Halpern.

Murray waived the right to a jury trial, so the verdict is now in the hands of the judge.