The governor also appoints a witness at the center of one of two bribery cases against former District Judge Mike Murphy to the magistrate court bench.
Gov. Susana Martinez on Friday appointed Nelson Goodin of Las Cruces to replace the indicted Mike Murphy, who resigned in February, on the Third Judicial District Court bench.
Goodin, a Republican, was a deputy district attorney when Martinez was district attorney in Doña Ana County. He’s the third attorney who worked for Martinez in that office that she’s appointed to the bench since she became governor.
“Mr. Goodin’s broad legal background, ranging from private civil practice to criminal prosecution to governmental agency work, has provided him with the right experience to serve on the Third Judicial District bench,” Martinez said. “I believe that he will continue his strong record of public service by upholding the law with fairness and impartiality in his new position.”
Martinez also appointed Beverly Singleman, a registered independent and former Court of Appeals judge, to the Doña Ana County Magistrate Court. She replaces Olivia Nevarez Garcia, who resigned from the bench in November.
“With a diverse background as an attorney, I am confident that Ms. Singleman will use her experience to serve capably as a magistrate judge,” Martinez said. “She has demonstrated a deep understanding of the law and she will be a strong public servant for the people of New Mexico.”
Singleman is a witness at the center of one of two bribery cases against Murphy. His May indictment on four felony charges is based on allegations that he solicited a bribe from Singleman, who was considering applying for an open district judgeship; that he told Judge Lisa Schultz to tell Singleman she needed to pay the bribe; and that he threatened to destroy Singleman’s reputation for telling others that he solicited a bribe from her.
Separate from that indictment, Murphy faces another felony charge for allegedly offering “several promises” to Schultz in December 2010 if she would agree to be the tie-breaking vote to make Douglas R. Driggers the chief district judge in Las Cruces.
Murphy has pleaded not guilty to all charges. You can read more about the allegations against Murphy that involve Singleman here.
Murphy’s bribery trial is on hold while the Court of Appeals considers whether to reinstate a misdemeanor charge of violating the Governmental Conduct Act.