Hazelwood Man On Crack Stabs Grandmother At Dinner

PITTSBURGH -- A 70-year-old woman's grandson has confessed to killing her while high on crack in the city's Hazelwood neighborhood, Pittsburgh police said.
"As Christian folks, we are going to forgive him, but he has to answer to God for what he's done," said Edith Jordan's nephew, Carl Wilburn.

The suspect -- Jalyle Murray, 30 -- got home Tuesday night and fixed dinner for Jordan and himself on Hazelwood Avenue, investigators said.

Family members said Jordan, who had a part in raising Murray, never held back her words because she loved her family.

"She was like a legend in the neighborhood because everybody knew her. She (say), 'Come over here, let me talk to you a minute.' (She would) talk to you about anything, give you good advice and send you on your way," said Wilburn.

Jordan's concern may have become her demise.

"As they were eating dinner, she began to talk to him about his lifestyle in drugs, and Mr. Murray became very upset," Pittsburgh police Cmdr. Thomas Strangrecki said.

According to the criminal complaint, Murray got a knife from a kitchen cabinet and began stabbing Jordan in the right side of the neck, then put her on the living room couch, took money from her pants pocket and bought more drugs.

Investigators said Murray called police on Wednesday morning in an effort to make it seem someone else was responsible for Jordan's death. Police said they believe the murder weapon is a kitchen knife, which investigators found in an overgrown vacant lot across the street from Jordan's home.

"I was shocked. I mean, this woman is so well loved. She's been around a long time. Didn't bother nobody," said neighbor Rose Cargile.

"It's unbelievable," said Jada Sealey, another neighbor. "Miss Edie, she always sat on her porch. The nicest person. If you needed a couple of dollars, she'd give it to you. If you were hungry, she fed you. It's just a real sad day today."

Police said it didn't take Murray long to admit to the crime.

"My words won't bring her back," Murray said as he was being arrested Wednesday.

Murray, who has a history of drug charges, is being held in the Allegheny County Jail without bail on a homicide charge.