CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Found competent back in February to stand trial, Shawna-Marie Murphy has been found not guilty by reason of insanity in Albemarle Circuit Court. Judge Cheryl Higgins in court Halloween day received a sealed psychiatric evaluation of Murphy for the time she allegedly killed boyfriend Matthew Farrell October 25 two years ago in a home they shared off Stony Point Road. Some of the facts of the case have been made available to the public.

The prosecution said when Albemarle officers arrived after a “disturbance” call to, they found a hysterical Murphy lying in the front yard in a fetal position, concerned for herself and Farrell. Farrell was found dead underneath pillows in bed, investigators saying he had been shot to death in his sleep. She said she was afraid he would hurt her. The prosecution said people who knew the couple had indicated erratic behavior by Murphy prior to that day.
A February 14 hearing has been set pending discernment of a course of treatment.