A 24 year old Pullman man has been arrested for allegedly raping and strangling a Washington State University student.
Alexander Murphy was arrested by Pullman Police for felony 2nd degree rape and 2nd degree assault. According to Whitman County Superior Court documents Murphy allegedly sexually assaulted the student inside her apartment on College Hill early Saturday morning. The alleged victim and Murphy met at a neighborhood bar earlier that night. Police allege that Murphy raped and strangled the woman. She immediately went to Pullman Regional Hospital in an ambulance for a rape examination. Murphy left the victim’s apartment by the time authorities arrived. He was arrested on Monday afternoon after detectives interviewed the alleged victim and gathered additional evidence.
Murphy was placed on 50,000 dollars bond by Judge Roger Sandberg during his first court appearance Tuesday afternoon. If he posts bond Murphy has been ordered to stay away from the alleged victim and not contact her. Murphy is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday. If convicted he faces up to life in prison. Murphy is not a WSU student.
