Jury convicts man in savage 2019 Noe Valley murder of his girlfriend

A San Francisco Superior Court jury on Thursday found a man guilty of violently beating his girlfriend to death in 2019 inside a home in The City’s Noe Valley neighborhood, prosecutors said.

Casey Murray, 59, was found guilty of second-degree murder for killing Alice James, 63, at a home in the 500 block of Alvarado Street on June 22, 2019.

In addition to the murder charge, the jury also found Murray guilty of domestic violence, assault with a deadly weapon, assault with force likely to cause injury and resisting arrest.

Prosecutors said at the scene, officers found James badly beaten and lying on a couch in a pool of blood. There, officers recovered a wine bottle with blood on it and a large piece of glass from a broken picture frame near James’ body.

Officers arrested Murray, who allegedly had numerous blood stains on his clothes, at the scene, according to court documents.

Officials with the city’s Medical Examiner’s Office found that James suffered numerous blunt force trauma injuries, including a crushed lower jaw and upper jaw, and a skull fracture to the right side of her head. Medical examiner officials concluded that her injuries may have been consistent with being struck by the wine bottle, court documents said.

Assistant District Attorney Ryan King said in a statement:

This was a brutal murder against a victim who had been tormented for years by her abuser. … Although this verdict can never bring Alice back, I hope by holding Mr. Murray accountable for his actions, we can bring some solace to her family.”

San Francisco Domestic Violence Consortium executive director Beverly Upton said:

This beautiful woman was taken too soon at the hands of her abuser. … I am relieved the family has received accountability for the loss of Alice.”

Murray’s attorney Deputy Public Defender Max Breeker said:

This was a horrible tragedy for everyone involved. Mr. Murray’s heart goes out to Ms. James’ family and he will forever live with remorse for the pain he has caused.”

Prior to James’ death, there were at least four other domestic violence incidents between the pair that involved police, including past police body-worn camera footage of James apparently telling officers she was scared of Murray, according to prosecutors.

Murray could face up to 17 years to life in prison, although a sentencing date has not yet been set.