DANBURY — Matthew James Murray pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of second-degree murder in the 2020 killing of former South Stokes High School athlete and Walnut Tree resident Christian Artis.
Murray, 36, of Mayodan, entered the plea on April 24, 2025, in Stokes County Superior Court with Judge Angela B. Puckett presiding.
He was given a sentence of 190-240 months (about 16-30 years) in jail or prison with 1906 days (about five years) credited for time served pre-trial. Murray was also ordered to pay $19,435.50 in court costs. According to court documents, funeral costs of $5,000 had been paid to Artis’ family through the Crime Victims Compensation Fund in 2021 approved by the North Carolina Crime Victims Compensation Commission…