Linda Vista Man Suspected of Slaying Is Granted Bail

A Linda Vista man suspected of fatally shooting a hotel security guard was granted bail of $50,000 during his arraignment Tuesday on lesser charges.

Kenneth Myron Murphy, 25, pleaded innocent to charges of possessing a small quantity of methamphetamine and having a loaded gun in his car, which prosecutors say was unrelated to Saturday’s slaying of Glenn Avery Jr., 67, a security guard at the Montgomery Field Holiday Inn.

Charges had to be filed against Murphy by Tuesday to avoid freeing him. A mix-up at the jail prevented authorities from conducting an identification lineup before the deadline. Prosecutors believe the lineup will solidify their murder case against Murphy.

“Rather than jeopardize this case, we had to file these lesser charges that resulted from his arrest (in connection with the slaying) essentially to hold him,” Deputy Dist. Atty. Al Barret said.

Authorities contend that Murphy shot the Burns International Security guard while fleeing the hotel, where he allegedly had robbed the boyfriend of a woman whom he had reportedly abducted from her home. Avery, whose body was found behind the hotel by guests, was shot in the face.

The lineup, in which witnesses to the events surrounding the shooting will be asked to identify Murphy as a participant, has been rescheduled for today. Charges of murder, kidnaping and armed robbery may be filed against Murphy depending on the outcome of the lineup, Barret said outside court.

Municipal Judge Louis E. Boyle, who set a Thursday bail review hearing for Murphy, also scheduled a Jan. 13 preliminary hearing.