District Judge Mike Murphy
Meanwhile, security was beefed up for a closed-door hearing held today, but officials won’t say why
A grand jury is scheduled to meet May 12 to consider indicting Third Judicial District Judge Mike Murphy on charges including bribery.
Ninth Judicial District Attorney Matt Chandler, the special prosecutor assigned to the case, confirmed the date earlier today. The grand jury will meet behind closed doors on May 12 at the Third Judicial District courthouse in Las Cruces.
The grand jury has already been delayed twice, but Chandler said he does not “anticipate any additional delays.” He said he could not comment on other details of the case.
Chandler spoke with NMPolitics.net as he left the courthouse in Las Cruces earlier today. He was there for a closed-door hearing in the case – a hearing for which security had obviously been beefed up. Chandler said the four-hour hearing was a “status conference,” but he and other officials would not comment on what happened at the hearing or why security had been increased.
But a police presence beyond what’s normal was obvious.
Several extra sheriffs’ deputies patrolled the halls at district court, as did a handful of plainclothes officers. Many stayed close to the courtroom where the Murphy hearing was held and peeked in frequently.
Some stayed in the courtroom during the hearing – even though deputies were not in the courtroom during another closed-door hearing held in the case last month. Doña Ana County Sheriff Todd Garrison even made an appearance at the court today, speaking with several deputies near the courtroom where the Murphy hearing was held before leaving.
Murphy was present for the hearing, along with his attorney Michael Stout. Murphy did not attend last month’s hearing in the case, but Stout did.
Today’s hearing, like the one held last month, was presided over by Sixth Judicial District Judge J.C. Robinson.
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.’ Richardson has not commented on the situation.