Man accused in local priest's murder indicted; DA files intent to seek death penalty

A Georgia judge has indicted the man accused in a St. Johns County priest's death on five counts.

Steven Murray, 28, is accused of killing Father Rene Robert. The state filed a letter of intent to seek the death penalty against Murray.

A Burke County judge indicted Murray on three counts of murder and two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

He is charged with murder, murder with aggravated assault, murder with false imprisonment, possession of a firearm in the commission of a crime and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Murray was arrested in Aiken County, South Carolina, days after Father Rene was reported missing from St. Augustine on April 12.

Murray led St. Johns County deputies to Father Rene's body in Waynesboro, Ga. after a more than week-long search.

Prosecutors said Father Robert let Murray use his car to visit his children in South Carolina.

They said he killed the priest when he was not allowed to see the kids.

When an Action News Jax reporter asked Murray what happened, he said he has mental problems and lost control.

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