District Judge Mike Murphy
Third Judicial District Judge Mike Murphy pleaded not guilty today to felony bribery charges. He was booked and fingerprinted at the courthouse, but posted bond and was not taken to the county jail.
After posting bond that was set at $10,000, Murphy was ordered to give up his passport and to not travel beyond New Mexico and El Paso County, the Las Cruces Sun-News is reporting. He was also ordered to give up his firearms, and the Sun-News quoted his attorney as saying he’s already done that.
Murphy is allowed to travel outside the designated area once, to officiate a wedding in California in June, the Sun-News reported.
Today’s hearing was held before retired U.S. Magistrate Judge Leslie Smith, who the N.M. Supreme Court has assigned to preside over the case. It was originally scheduled as a status conference but turned into an arraignment.
A grand jury indicted Murphy last week on third-degree felony charges of demanding or receiving a bribe by a public employee; bribery of a public officer or employee; and bribery, intimidation, or retaliation against a witness, in addition to a fourth-degree felony charge of criminal solicitation.
Prosecutors allege that Murphy solicited a bribe from potential judicial applicant Beverly Singleman, told District Judge Lisa Schultz to tell Singleman she needed to pay the bribe, and threatened to destroy Singleman’s reputation for telling others that he solicited a bribe from her.
No one besides Murphy has been charged or received notice that they may be indicted, but the investigation is ongoing.
A prior version of this article incorrectly stated that Murphy is charged with paying a bribe for his position.