The incident occurred near the Turkey Hill in Shenandoah on April 4, 2019.
The Commonwealth presented evidence that members of the Shenandoah Police Department and the Pennsylvania State Police provided $150 of prerecorded United States Currency to an informant, who later exchanged the money with Murphy for 2.81 grams of methamphetamine.
The transaction was recorded by Patrolman William Moyer of the Shenandoah Police Department via video surveillance, and the recording was played for the jury. Murphy was arrested shortly after the sale by other members of the Shenandoah Police, and the prerecorded currency was found in her back pocket.
The Commonwealth was represented by First Assistant District Attorney Michael J. Stine, who argued that the case was a classic example of a “buy-bust” operation. Murphy was represented by Attorney Eric Filer, who argued that his client was entitled to an entrapment defense.
The jury deliberated about half an hour before convicting the defendant of Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
After the verdict, President Judge William Baldwin granted the Commonwealth’s motion to increase bail to $50,000 straight cash. Murphy was then remanded to the Schuylkill County Prison to await sentencing.
The charging officer in the case was Shenandoah Police Chief George Carado.