May 25, 2022
Elisabeth Shepard, Communications Director
DA Mike Schmidt announces jury finds Nancy Crampton Brophy, 71, guilty of murder
PORTLAND, Oregon – Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced today that a 12-person jury found Nancy Brophy, 71, guilty of Murder in the Second Degree with a Firearm.
The charge stems from the fatal shooting of the defendant’s husband, Daniel Brophy, aged 63, on June 2 of 2018. The victim was found that morning with two fatal gunshot wounds at his workplace, the Oregon Culinary Institute (OCI). Video surveillance captured Mrs. Brophy driving in front of OCI prior to Mr. Brophy’s arrival and driving away from the area shortly after.
Mr. Brophy’s body was discovered by a co-worker and authorities were called. Mrs. Brophy had already left the area. Portland police responded to the scene and Mrs. Brophy returned to OCI in the same vehicle she had been seen driving on video surveillance earlier that morning immediately before and after Mr. Brophy was fatally shot. Mrs. Brophy told law enforcement at the scene that she had been at home at the time of the shooting.
Subsequent investigation found that Mrs. Brophy had recently obtained a firearm. Shell casings collected at the scene were consistent with the type of firearm Mrs. Brophy had purchased, a Glock 9mm.
Three days after the murder, Mrs. Brophy attempted to collect a life insurance policy associated with her deceased husband. She contacted the Portland Police Bureau to request a letter stating she was not a suspect in her husband’s murder to provide to the insurer in order to collect the policy. Mrs. Brophy misled the police as to the amount of the insurance policy. PPB declined to provide the letter.
Mrs. Brophy was arrested on September 5, 2018, and has been in custody awaiting trial since. Her trial began on April 4, 2022, and concluded on May 24, 2022, a period of roughly eight weeks. The prosecution called over two dozen witnesses to provide evidence in court.
“This conviction was the culmination of nearly four years of work, from the initial Central Precinct patrol response, to meticulous investigation by Homicide Unit detectives, to evidence collection and analysis by the Forensic Evidence Division,” Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell stated.
“I want to especially highlight the incredible work by Detective Merrill, who has been involved in every element of this case from initial investigation through the lengthy trial.” Chief Lovell continued.
“It was a long road to this verdict. Daniel Brophy’s family waited for justice for nearly four years. Today marks an inflection point in their journey to see accountability for the tragic murder of their loved one and move forward with their lives.” Senior Deputy District Attorney Shawn Overstreet stated after the jury rendered their verdict.
“I applaud the thoughtfulness, compassion, and patience of the jury during what was a strenuous eight-week trial that included an array of expert witnesses, witnesses who were there the day Daniel Brophy lost his life, individuals who knew the Brophy’s, and the defendant herself. I believe their verdict served the interest of justice today.” Senior Deputy District Attorney Overstreet continued.
Nancy Brophy will be sentenced at 9 am on Monday, June 13.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the Portland Police Bureau and specifically Detective Darren Posey and Detective Anthony Merrill for their diligent work on this case.
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