MA Mother Not Guilty In 'House Of Horrors' Case

WORCESTER, MA — Erika Murray was found not guilty of second-degree murder of her baby in the "House of Horrors" case Thursday. The Blackstone woman was charged with murder after the remains of three infants were found in the closet of her home, which police described as "trash-strewn and vermin-infested." Murray was found not guilty on two counts of reckless endangerment to a child.

She was found guilty on two counts of assault and battery on a child and of animal cruelty.

Judge Janet Kenton-Walker called the case a "senseless, tragic story of a dysfunctional parent." The judge agreed with some of the defenses arguments, that Murray was mentally ill and suffered from a personality disorder that, among other things, made her severely avoidant of issues she faced. The judge also said Murray suffered from longstanding cognitive deficits.

The judge highlighted moments when Murray found her baby not breathing and stressed that there was no proof that CPR or calling an ambulance would have saved the baby.

In a statement, Blackstone Acting Police Chief Gregory Gilmore thanked the DA's office and focused on the toll the case took on the children involved. "On behalf of the dedicated men and women of the Blackstone Police Department who worked on this incredibly complex, disturbing and difficult case over the past five years, I would like to express my appreciation to the Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.’s Office. This was a challenging case from the very beginning, but it has been most difficult for the children involved in this horrific situation. We also hope that with the end of this case, our community, which was shocked to our very core, can find closure," he said, "As acting chief of police, I would like to also personally acknowledge the outstanding work of our Blackstone Police officers and detectives as well as the State Police Detectives Unit assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office and all the prosecutors who worked on the case."

Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early highlighted the emotional investment the people in Worcester County had on the case, "This was a very hard case with a very difficult set of facts as it always is when dealing with children who are victims. It has emotionally affected many people throughout Worcester County. We appreciate all the time and effort the judge put into her decision in this case. The court has spoken," he said, "I would like to thank the Blackstone Police Department, the State police detectives and all of the state police employees who worked so hard on this case. And also, I’d like to thank our prosecutor Chris Hodgens for all his hard work."

She was arrested in 2014 when two other children in her care, a five-month-old and a toddler, were found alone and filthy in her Blackstone home. Police found the three infant bodies after executing a search warrant and charged her with second-degree murder.

A total of four children were living in the Blackstone home, two of which prosecutors argue were purposefully neglected.

Over the past few weeks lawyers have argued whether or not Murray intentionally neglected the children and caused the deaths of the infants. Murray was originally charged with the deaths of two infants, but early in the trial, the judge dropped one of the murder charges, claiming there wasn't enough evidence that one of the babies was born alive.

Murray's defense claimed her behavior was driven by fear of her emotionally abusive boyfriend, something the judge brought up as well. The judge called Murray "wholly dependent" on her boyfriend Raymond Rivera, who was living in the home. Rivera faces child abuse charges.