Family of victim in unsolved Morris homicide calls for justice
Kris Sprowls, bottom right, with family members surrounding her, talks to the media about the murder of her brother, James Durbin, and the lack of progress in the investigation during a news conference on the Washington County Courthouse steps Wednesday morning.
Surrounded by family members and the media, Kris Sprowls, far right, sister of James Durbin, who was murdered three years ago, speaks out about the investigation on the Washington County Courthouse steps Wednesday morning.
Washington County District Attorney Gene Vittone responds to questions from the media about the James Durbin murder case while in his office Wednesday morning. Minutes before, the family of James Durbin held a news conference on the courthouse steps, demanding answers about the investigation.
The family of a 2011 homicide victim from Morris Township made a tearful plea for justice in the unsolved case during a news conference Wednesday at the main entrance to Washington County Courthouse.
Ten relatives of James LeRoy Durbin, who was killed by a bullet to his head in his home Aug. 23, 2011, huddled atop the courthouse steps as one of the victim’s sisters spoke about their frustrations over the lack of progress in the case.
“We just want some justice. That’s all,” said Kris Sprowls of Chartiers Township. “He was shot in the back of his head in his sleep.”
The family decided to speak about the case for the first time in public a week after the Observer-Reporter had nine search warrants in the case unsealed, and reported on new details outlined in their affidavits.
The story “has begun to shed light on the investigation,” the Durbins said in a Tuesday news release.
The O-R story reported police said state Sen. Tim Solobay was involved in an “ongoing relationship” with the victim’s wife, Amy Durbin. It also made reference to the possibility that three other permanently sealed search warrants filed at the courthouse were related to the homicide.
Washington County District Attorney Eugene Vittone on Wednesday said Solobay is neither a suspect nor a person of interest in the homicide.
“It needs to be out there just out of fairness to Mr. Solobay,” Vittone said, adding Solobay has not used his position to influence the investigation.
Solobay was interviewed by state police about the homicide in 2011. He said last week he was friends with James and Amy Durbin, and nothing more.
James Durbin, 43, was found dead in his bed at 267 Elwood Day Road by his son the day of the homicide. Amy Durbin was believed to have been the last person to have seen him alive before she left for work that morning, state police said.
Police searched her vehicle, stating they had found what appeared to be some blood in it, and also searched her locker at Canonsburg Hospital, where she was employed at the time. They also searched her cellphone and employment records.
“Why are no charges even being sent to the grand jury for consideration?” Sprowls asked.
Vittone said there is not sufficient evidence to support the issuance of an arrest warrant.
“You can’t just file charges based on supposition,” he said.
State police Trooper Matthew Jardine, who last week said there was a suspect in the murder, said Wednesday police have more than one suspect in the case.
“The lead investigator is going to talk to his supervisors and the major case team to determine what other avenues to pursue based on the DA,” Jardine added.
The Durbin relatives also went Wednesday to the district attorney’s office, where they were shuttled into a meeting with its crime victims advocate. Vittone met briefly with reporters before leaving the courthouse, saying he was late for a Washington County Prison Board meeting. However, Vittone did not attend the 10-minute board meeting.
Sprowls said Vittone did agree to meet with her later. She said she found no satisfaction from Wednesday’s meeting at the district attorney’s office.
“It’s the same old thing they have been saying,” Sprowls said.