RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (WCBS 880) — A jury has convicted the man accused of driving drunk and killing a Boy Scout on Long Island last year.
Thomas Murphy, 60, was found guilty on all nine counts. He was charged with two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, second-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault, two counts of second-degree vehicular assault, two counts of third-degree assault and reckless driving.
A jury of seven men and five women deliberated for a day and a half before delivering the verdict Wednesday afternoon.
The panel agreed with prosecutors, who said Murphy drove off the road and fatally struck 12-year-old Andrew McMorris and other young boys as they completed a Sept. 30, 2018 hike in Manorville.
He faces a maximum sentence of eight to 25 years in prison.
As WCBS 880’s Sophia Hall reports, the courtroom was full of tearful family members and friends who were there to support to the McMorris family – all wearing red, the 12-year-old’s favorite color.
John McMorris, Andrew's father, was emotional following the verdict and maintained that the crash was completely preventable, but Murphy had deliberately decided to drive drunk that day. He spoke with reporters after the trial to express his gratitude to the District Attorney and jury.
“God bless the DA’s office and the jury for seeing what really happening that day,” he said through tears.
In a heart-wrenching testimony earlier this month, the jury heard how the 49-year-old father was “scared to death” as he watched his son die on the side of the road following the crash.
Prosecutors contended Murphy had spent the morning drinking vodka at a nearby golf course prior to the crash.
Murphy had refused to take a Breathalyzer test at the crash scene and defense lawyers tried to argue that Murphy was never drunk, despite testimony from witnesses that said otherwise.
A blood test obtained several hours after the incident showed the 60-year-old had a 0.13 BAC – over the .08% legal limit.
Earlier this month, several charges against Murphy, who originally faced 16 counts, were dismissed.
In October 2018, Murphy apologized for his “role” in the Boy Scout’s death and had insisted he would not go to trial to save the family pain and suffering.
However, he changed his mind this past summer after months of indecision.
Outside the courthouse, Andrew's mother tearfully told reporters that the entire trial has been extremely difficult and painful.
“This was a completely unnecessary process for us to have to go through. To make our pain and our loss a thousand times – a million times worse,” she said.
Murphy was allowed to leave the courthouse on bail and is scheduled to be sentenced in 2020.
The 60-year-old's attorney, Steven Politi, says they plan to appeal and that his client was distraught following the verdict.
“He obviously is upset, you know, he doesn't believe he committed any crimes,” Politi said “So, he was a bit stunned.”