Police: Fayette man claimed to chase 'demon dog' into neighbor's home, choked occupants
A Fayette County man who told police he had been using crystal methamphetamine for days is accused of breaking into a neighbor’s home Sunday and choking two people, according to state police.
Terry Lee Murphy, 31, of Luzerne Township, reportedly yelled “that he was chasing a demon dog into their house on behalf of Satan,” troopers said.
He is charged with burglary, strangulation, child endangerment and related offenses. He was being held in the Fayette County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bond.
Police were called to a reported home invasion at 2:20 p.m. A woman told police that Murphy came into her house and choked her and a teenager while yelling “Praise God,” according to troopers. Two more children were present at the home.
Murphy fled but was surrounded by neighbors until troopers arrived. He told investigators that he had been using crystal methamphetamine for five or six days prior and didn’t sleep or eat during that time.
He was taken to a hospital for evaluation. Murphy did not have an attorney listed in online court records. A preliminary hearing is set for March 11.
Renatta Signorini is a TribLive reporter covering breaking news, crime, courts and Jeannette. She has been working at the Trib since 2005. She can be reached at rsignorini@triblive.com.
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