Virginia Beach man arrested following grand jury indictment on murder charges connected to Navy Chief’s death

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Nearly a year after a local Navy chief died after a dispute with another man, his family is applauding a recent development in his case.

Court records show that on June 5, a grand jury indicted Joshua Robinson, the other man involved in the altercation, on one count of second-degree murder in connection to the death of 40-year-old U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Tyler Murphy.

The incident occurred on July 5, 2022, police say. And they released the following details about the night Murphy died:

Murphy, Robinson and a woman named Lindsey Chapman left CP Shuckers, a Virginia Beach bar. Shortly after, Murphy and Robinson got into a dispute.

During the dispute, Robinson allegedly hit Murphy with his car on Shore Drive.

Robinson and Chapman took Murphy to Sentara Leigh Hospital, according to police. Murphy was later transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Murphy’s loved ones have been outspoken about his death, including his sister who claims that Robinson and Chapman schemed and committed criminal acts.

His sister, Kaitlyn Cutroni, told News 3 last month that the family is still seeking answers about her brother’s death. In a Change.org petition published last month, she claims that Robinson and Chapman schemed to distance themselves from responsibility for Murphy’s death.

The petition also voices Cutroni’s frustrations over Robinson and Chapman “walking free” following Murphy’s death. Last month, attorneys said at the time that they were both out on bond.

In the petition, Cutroni calls upon officials to “rectify this situation by thoroughly investigating and holding these perpetrators accountable for their heinous acts.”

Robinson has since been taken into custody, according to court documents. He was booked into the Virginia Beach City Jail on Monday, June 12, a week after the grand jury’s indictment.

Cutroni reacted to Robinson’s booking on the Change.org petition, describing his arrest as “a victory for justice. And it is a victory for all of us who believe that no one is above the law.”

Robinson is charged with second-degree murder, and his trial is currently set for October 3. Chapman is still charged with accessory after the fact. Her trial is set for August 9.

Stay with News 3 for updates.