District Judge Mike Murphy
A district judge based in Silver City has apparently been assigned by the N.M. Supreme Court to handle some matters related to the investigation of bribery allegations against Third Judicial District Judge Mike Murphy.
Sixth Judicial District Judge J.C. Robinson held a sequestered hearing related to the investigation this morning at the district courthouse in Las Cruces, NMPolitics.net has learned. Murphy’s attorney, Michael Stout, and a lawyer representing special prosecutor Matt Chandler were present.
The purpose of the closed-door hearing isn’t clear. Stout said he couldn’t comment or even confirm that such a hearing was held. Chandler could not be reached for comment.
But it’s clear that Robinson has a role in the case, which hasn’t yet gone before a grand jury for a possible indictment. District judges convene grand juries, but judges do not preside over grand jury proceedings – closed-door meetings at which prosecutors try to convince grand juries to charge someone with a crime.
Murphy has received notification that a grand jury is scheduled to consider charging him with bribery. The allegations are that Murphy, a Democrat, paid a bribe in exchange for then-Gov. Bill Richardson appointing him to the bench in 2006, and that he may have solicited bribes for Richardson from applicants for other judgeships.
The bribe or bribes were allegedly paid as political contributions and went to an unnamed “local political figure.” No one besides Murphy, including Richardson, has received notification that they may be indicted.
Stout has said Murphy ‘committed no crime.’
The grand jury has been delayed twice, and when it now plans to meet isn’t clear. But today’s hearing was not a meeting of the grand jury.
Like Murphy, Robinson is a Democrat. Unlike Murphy, Robinson was not appointed to the bench by Richardson.