Murphy Jr. was charged for the death of eight-year-old Jasmine Rodriguez, who was killed after Murphy's vehicle struck the vehicle Rodriguez was in.
The accident happened at 63rd and Leavenworth Road after a police chase started on 63rd and Parallel Parkway.
More from the Wyandotte County District Attorney's Office:
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS—Wyandotte County District Attorney Jerome A. Gorman today charged Tyrone Murphy, Jr., of Kansas City, Kansas, DOB: 07-13-86, with First Degree Murder in connection with the April 9, 2014, death of eight year old Jasmine Rodriguez.
Rodriguez was a passenger in a Dodge Caravan being driven by her mother, which was struck by a Chevrolet Impala driven by Murphy, who was fleeing from Kansas City Kansas Police. The collision happened at 63rd and Leavenworth Road.
The murder charge is based upon the theory of felony murder, where a person is killed during the commission of another offense that is designated by statute as an inherently dangerous felony.
Murphy is also charged with Possession of Cocaine; Eluding a Police Officer (Felony), and three counts of Aggravated Battery arising from the injuries to the driver and two other juvenile passengers in the Caravan.
The investigation of the collision is by the Kansas Highway Patrol, and it is ongoing.
Murphy is currently in the Wyandotte County Jail in lieu of $1,000,000.00 bond. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
