Twisted Cross
03-06-2002, 09:15 PM
You can e-mail Govenor Swift @ GOffice@state.ma.us
Let her know how you feel about crap like this.
http://www.boston.com/news/daily/04/judge_reassigned.htm
Embattled judge to be reassigned to hear civil cases
By Denise Lavoie, Associated Press, 03/04/02
BOSTON -- A judge criticized by prosecutors and victims as too easy on defendants will be reassigned to hear only civil cases, at his own request, a court spokeswoman said Monday.
New Bedford Superior Court Judge Ernest B. Murphy will also take a four-day training course for new judges this week.
Murphy caused an uproar last month when he made a string of controversial decisions in four rape cases. In one case, he gave probation to a man who admitted to twice raping a 14-year-old girl from Mansfield. In another, he overturned the bail of an accused rapist who was caught in Louisiana after 18 months as a fugitive.
Murphy also drew fire for his decision to release on bail a teen-ager accused of planning a Columbine-style rampage at New Bedford High School.
Joan Kenney, a spokeswoman for the state court system, said Murphy recently sent a letter to Chief Justice Suzanne DelVecchio, who heads the state's superior courts, asking to be reassigned to a civil session.
DelVecchio agreed, and assigned Murphy to hear civil cases in Fall River, beginning March 11.
Kenney would not say whether Murphy cited the recent criticism as his reason for seeking the reassignment.
Murphy, who returned to work Monday following a two-week vacation, could not be reached for comment. His lawyer, J. Owen Todd, was traveling out of state and could not be reached for comment.
Kenney said the reassignment is for an indefinite period of time. But she said Murphy could be sent back to the criminal bench eventually. Superior Court judges in Massachusetts routinely rotate between civil and criminal sessions, every month or two.
On Tuesday, Murphy will begin a training session for new judges. The course is designed to be an intensive training session for judges who have been on the bench less than three years. About 45 judges will participate in this week's session.
Kenney said Murphy had planned to attend the course before the recent round of criticism. The session includes workshops on state sentencing guidelines, bail issues and courtroom management.
Bristol District Attorney Paul Walsh Jr. accused Murphy of coddling defendants and said he made a cold comments about a 14-year-old rape victim, telling a prosecutor she should "get over it."
Walsh, who called for Murphy's reassignment to the civil bench last month, did not return a call seeking comment.
Former Gov. Paul Cellucci appointed Murphy, 59, a civil lawyer, to the bench 18 months ago.
Let her know how you feel about crap like this.
http://www.boston.com/news/daily/04/judge_reassigned.htm
Embattled judge to be reassigned to hear civil cases
By Denise Lavoie, Associated Press, 03/04/02
BOSTON -- A judge criticized by prosecutors and victims as too easy on defendants will be reassigned to hear only civil cases, at his own request, a court spokeswoman said Monday.
New Bedford Superior Court Judge Ernest B. Murphy will also take a four-day training course for new judges this week.
Murphy caused an uproar last month when he made a string of controversial decisions in four rape cases. In one case, he gave probation to a man who admitted to twice raping a 14-year-old girl from Mansfield. In another, he overturned the bail of an accused rapist who was caught in Louisiana after 18 months as a fugitive.
Murphy also drew fire for his decision to release on bail a teen-ager accused of planning a Columbine-style rampage at New Bedford High School.
Joan Kenney, a spokeswoman for the state court system, said Murphy recently sent a letter to Chief Justice Suzanne DelVecchio, who heads the state's superior courts, asking to be reassigned to a civil session.
DelVecchio agreed, and assigned Murphy to hear civil cases in Fall River, beginning March 11.
Kenney would not say whether Murphy cited the recent criticism as his reason for seeking the reassignment.
Murphy, who returned to work Monday following a two-week vacation, could not be reached for comment. His lawyer, J. Owen Todd, was traveling out of state and could not be reached for comment.
Kenney said the reassignment is for an indefinite period of time. But she said Murphy could be sent back to the criminal bench eventually. Superior Court judges in Massachusetts routinely rotate between civil and criminal sessions, every month or two.
On Tuesday, Murphy will begin a training session for new judges. The course is designed to be an intensive training session for judges who have been on the bench less than three years. About 45 judges will participate in this week's session.
Kenney said Murphy had planned to attend the course before the recent round of criticism. The session includes workshops on state sentencing guidelines, bail issues and courtroom management.
Bristol District Attorney Paul Walsh Jr. accused Murphy of coddling defendants and said he made a cold comments about a 14-year-old rape victim, telling a prosecutor she should "get over it."
Walsh, who called for Murphy's reassignment to the civil bench last month, did not return a call seeking comment.
Former Gov. Paul Cellucci appointed Murphy, 59, a civil lawyer, to the bench 18 months ago.