The slaying of a Trenton woman in her home in early 2020 is connected to a reported fight the victim had the day before with a relative of the suspects, court documents show.
Travis Leiby, 34, and Brittany Murdza, 32, are charged with murder and related firearm and burglary charges in the January 2020 shooting death of Starquasia Harris. The 24-year-old was slain in her Elm Street home during a home invasion authorities said at the time was a targeted crime.
Leiby and Murdza went to Harris’ home on the night of Jan. 29, 2020 after they’d been at a neighboring home to retrieve belongings of a relative, who they were informed had a fight with Harris the day before over a $100 debt, the charges against the pair allege.
In interviews with detectives, both Leiby and Murdza said they were on the Elm Street block just before the crime, but drove away before the gunfire, authorities said in court documents. Witnesses, though, describe them returning shortly after and a man with Leiby’s description entering Harris’ home and firing a gun, authorities said.
Leiby and Murdza refer to each other as siblings due to her mother and his father being in a former, long-term relationship, the documents say. They are both originally from the Trenton area, but lived in Philadelphia in early 2020. Murdza is also known by her married name, Brittany Olmeda.
Leiby and Murdza were implicated in March of 2020 and arrested in July 2020, and indicted on murder and the related crimes in July 2021.
News of their arrests was not publicized by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office due to shutdowns of workplaces and the state court system at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.
Each remains in custody at county jails awaiting court appearances in Superior Court of Mercer County. Defense attorney information for them was not immediately available.
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Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com.
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