Gov. Susana Martinez<\/a> on Friday appointed Nelson Goodin of Las Cruces to replace the indicted Mike Murphy, who\u00a0resigned in February<\/a>, on the Third Judicial District Court bench.<\/p>\n Goodin, a Republican, was a deputy district attorney when Martinez was district attorney in Do\u00f1a Ana County. He\u2019s the third attorney who worked for Martinez in that office that she\u2019s appointed to the bench since she became governor.<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Goodin\u2019s broad legal background, ranging from private civil practice to criminal prosecution to governmental agency\u00a0work, has provided him with the right experience to serve on the Third Judicial District bench,\u201d Martinez said. \u201cI believe that he will continue his strong record of public service by upholding the law with fairness and impartiality in his new position.\u201d<\/p>\n Martinez also appointed Beverly Singleman, a registered independent and former Court of Appeals judge, to the Do\u00f1a Ana County Magistrate Court. She replaces Olivia Nevarez Garcia, who resigned from the bench in November<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWith a diverse background as an attorney, I am confident that Ms. Singleman will use her experience to serve capably as a magistrate judge,\u201d Martinez said. \u201cShe has demonstrated a deep understanding of the law and she will be a strong public servant for the people of New Mexico.\u201d<\/p>\n Singleman is a witness at the center of one of two bribery cases against Murphy. His May indictment\u00a0on four felony charges is based on allegations that he\u00a0solicited a bribe\u00a0from 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\u2019s reputation for telling others that he solicited a bribe from her.<\/p>\n Separate from that indictment, Murphy faces\u00a0another felony charge\u00a0for allegedly\u00a0offering \u201cseveral promises\u201d\u00a0to 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.<\/p>\n