Prisoner is charged with July rape in Oak Grove

Jackson County authorities have charged a 28-year-old man with forcible rape and sodomy in a July assault at a residence in Oak Grove.

Paul W. Murphy of Bates City is serving a four-year prison sentence in Jefferson City for tampering with a motor vehicle. Shortly after the alleged rape occurred, authorities revoked Murphy’s probation in that case and sent him to prison, according to online court records.

Authorities say the sexual assault took place July 25. Court records allege that Murphy choked a woman he knew and raped her while the victim’s 16-month-old daughter was in another room.

Court records allege that Murphy afterward allowed the woman to go to the bathroom. Once inside, she called 911. Police arrived a short time later and arrested Murphy.

This story was originally published January 24, 2014 at 3:16 PM with the headline "Prisoner is charged with July rape in Oak Grove."