A 26-year-old Fairfield man has been found guilty of first-degree murder for the 2014 disappearance and killing of his then-15-year-old girlfriend Megan Nichols. The Wayne County Jury deliberated for about an hour before announcing its verdict to Brody Murbarger.
Prosecutors presented evidence through FBI investigator William O’Sullivan of more than 7,000 text messages exchanged between Murbarger and Nichols between December 2013 and February 2014 that were initially romantic, but later reflected a more tumultuous relationship including Murbarger calling Nichols ‘annoying’.
Murbarger’s father Jayson Murbarger and the defendant both questioned about blood found in the younger Murbarger’s car that prosecutors argued was used to transport Megan’s body to a rural Boyleston field where it was buried. The father said he was unaware of any blood in the vehicle but that the trunk did leak. His son said Nichols’ blood was in his car after a sexual encounter in which he used his shirt to clean the blood. He claimed water leaking into the trunk caused the blood to spread.
In closing arguments Thursday, prosecutors argued Murbarger’s story had changed several times and was contradictory. The defense team claimed the evidence was speculative and circumstantial and that Murbarger had no motive to commit the murder. They said the varying stories were the result of Murbarger being an awkward teen under a lot of pressure due to rumors circulating of his involvement in Nichols’ disappearance that caused him to become flustered during interrogations.
Murbarger’s defense attorney said he planned to file for a new trial.
(Thanks to WFIW-Fairfield for story information)
