VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Nearly a year after a local Navy chief died after a dispute with another man, his family is applauding a recent development in his case, according to an online statement.
Court records show that on June 5, a grand jury indicted Joshua Robinson, the other man involved in the altercation, on one count of second-degree murder in connection to the death of 40-year-old U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Tyler Murphy.
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It happened on July 5, 2022, according to police. Police previously have released the following details about the night Murphy died: Murphy, Robinson and a woman named Lindsey Chapman left CP Shuckers, a Virginia Beach bar. Shortly after, Murphy and Robinson got into a dispute.
During the dispute, Robinson allegedly hit Murphy with his car on Shore Drive.
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Police say Robinson and Chapman took Murphy to Sentara Leigh Hospital. Murphy was later transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where he died from his injuries.
According to court records Robinson was arrested for malicious wounding the day after the incident back in July of 2022 but those charges were nolle prosequi which means they decided not to prosecute, but those charges could be brought up at a later time.
Prosecutors filed new charges and he was arrested on January 9th for manslaughter and hit and run. He was waiting for his trial that is scheduled for October of 2023. He was arrested again on June 12th for second-degree murder after he was indicted by a grand jury.
According to Robinson's attorney Taite Westendorf he was released on a personal recognizance bond Wednesday morning from Judge James Lewis.
Westendorf released the following statement on behalf of his client: "Joshua Robinson and his family have nothing but sympathy for the family of Mr. Murphy. This case is painful for both sides of the courtroom. These events involved a tragic accident, and we look forward to demonstrating in the courtroom that no crimes were committed."
News 3 reached out to the Virginia Beach Commonwealth Attorney's Office about the case to ask about the new charges.
They said, "As the Virginia Beach Police Department continues to actively investigate this case, prosecutors found probable cause to bring a charge of Second Degree Felony Murder. Because this case had already been through the preliminary hearing stage and was before the Circuit Court, the grand jury is the appropriate method to bring additional charges."
They said they can't comment about evidence in the case as it is pending trial.
Chapman is facing two misdemeanor charges of accessory to a crime after the fact and obstruction of justice. Her trial is scheduled for August 8th.
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Murphy’s loved ones have been outspoken about his death, including his sister who claims that Robinson and Chapman schemed and committed criminal acts.
His sister, Kaitlyn Cutroni, told News 3 last month that the family is still seeking answers about her brother’s death. In a Change.org petition published last month, she claims that Robinson and Chapman schemed to distance themselves from responsibility for Murphy’s death.
The petition also voices Cutroni’s frustrations with the fact that both Robinson and Chapman were “walking free” following Murphy’s death. Last month, attorneys told us that at the time, they were both out on bond.
In the petition, she calls upon officials to “rectify this situation by thoroughly investigating and holding these perpetrators accountable for their heinous acts.”
Cutroni reacted to Robinson’s booking on the Change.org petition, describing his arrest as “a victory for justice. And it is a victory for all of us who believe that no one is above the law.”
Stay with News 3 for updates.
