Precious Murphy, accused of causing crash in tow truck, pleads no contest to 4 charges





MILWAUKEE — She sped off and crashed a tow truck, seriously injuring several people -- and bit officers. On Monday, March 19, a very calm Precious Murphy sat in court and took a plea deal for her crimes.

Precious Murphy



Murphy pleaded no contest on Monday to four of nine charges in connection with this case. Those charges include fleeing an officer, hit-and-run involving great bodily harm and taking and driving a vehicle without consent. The court dismissed five other charges. With this plea deal, Murphy avoids a trial.

Murphy sped away from an officer while driving a tow truck last September. At Pierce and Hadley in Milwaukee, she caused serious injury to three people. Murphy then ran to another car, forcing its driver out -- and bit an officer. A Taser and pepper spray did not stop her. The next day, Murphy was tracked to a hospital 225 miles away.

Crash involving tow truck in Riverwest



Crash involving tow truck in Riverwest



Murphy entered the no contest to fleeing, causing great bodily harm, two counts of hit-and-run causing great bodily harm and operating a motor vehicle without the owner's consent -- all with a habitual criminality enhancer.

Precious Murphy



"The state's recommendation for full restitution for all victims, 15 years of initial confinement, 12 years of extended supervision globally," said the prosecutor.

The judge does not have to follow that recommendation -- and reminded Murphy of the maximum penalty associated with the charges she is pleading to. That is $135,000 in fines, 52-and-a-half years in prison and 18 years of extended supervision.

"I will judge you guilty as of today's date. Order a judgement of conviction be entered into the record," the judge said. "You are now a convicted felon for the rest of your life."

Precious Murphy



The state's sentencing recommendation would run consecutive to the sentence Murphy is currently serving. When she committed the current crime, she was already on probation for second degree recklessly endangering safety.

Murphy will be sentenced in May.