Murder suspect sentenced to 40 years

Michael Musarra

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

Nearly two years after a double homocide took place on Highland Avenue in Providence, the families of the victims finally have a conviction in the case. Michael A. Musarra, 45 of Providence, entered a guilty plea on Friday, September 27, 2013 and was sentenced   a week later.

The murders took place on Monday, November 7, 2011. Authorities reported at the time that Musarra shot his ex-girlfriend, 43-year-old Erika Hutchason, then stabbed 39-year-old Anthony Culp.

Hutchason, was taken to the Regional Medical Center in Madisonville, KY for treatment.  She was later life flighted to St. Mary’s in Evansville, IN but died from her injuries. 

The other victim, 39-year-old Anthony H. Culp, was also transported to the Regional Medical Center where he also died from injuries.

The Kentucky state police reported that two juveniles were in the home at the time of the attack.

Musarra was originally charged with two counts of murder, a class A felony and one count of 1st Degree Burglary, a class B felony. The plea deal reduced the murder charges to manslaughter, a class B felony.

Judge Rene Williams sentenced Musarra to twenty years for each of the three charges, with the manslaughter sentences to run consecutively for a total of 40 years as a violent offender.