Lawrence E. Purcell Jr., a 34-year-old male, tragically died on February 14, 2017, in Effort, Pennsylvania. The circumstances surrounding his death were the result of a violent altercation at the home of Kyle Brant Kresge, 46, in Chestnuthill Township. According to police reports, Kresge shot Purcell during a heated dispute at Kresge's residence on Glenwood Road. Purcell was shot in the chest and died at the scene.
Kresge then attempted to conceal the body by dragging it outside and covering it with debris.
The investigation into Purcell's death revealed that Kresge had a history of legal troubles, including a prior conviction for aggravated assault in 2002. Purcell also had a criminal record, including a recent charge for possession of a controlled substance. On the day of the incident, Purcell visited Kresge's home uninvited, leading to the fatal confrontation. Witnesses reported that Kresge fired a warning shot into the ceiling before shooting Purcell during the altercation.
Kresge was arrested and charged with criminal homicide, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with physical evidence. The case went to trial, and after a non-jury trial, Kresge was convicted of third-degree murder. The judge found that Kresge acted with malice but not premeditation when he shot Purcell. Kresge received a sentence of 20 to 40 years in state prison for the murder conviction, along with additional time for the other charges.
The trial revealed that both Kresge and Purcell, along with other individuals present, were under the influence of methamphetamine, heroin, and/or cocaine at the time of the incident. Kresge claimed he acted in self-defense, fearing Purcell, who had a reputation for being violent and aggressive. However, the prosecution successfully argued that Kresge's actions were not justified and that he had attempted to cover up the crime by hiding the body and the murder weapon.
The case was challenging for investigators due to the nature of the witnesses and the circumstances of the crime. Despite these challenges, the police and prosecution team worked diligently to bring justice for Lawrence E. Purcell Jr. The conviction of Kyle Kresge was seen as a fair and just outcome by the prosecution and Purcell's family.
