Commission slams Brevard judge again

As part of a response to embattled John C. Murphy's response for a court order to show cause, the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission chastised the judge for tarnishing the reputation of the Florida's judicial system.

In the conclusion of their response, it states that "His (Murphy's) conduct single-handedly caused the Florida judicial system to become a national embarrassment. The JQC respectfully requests that this Court take into consideration the matters set forth in this reply in deciding the ultimate discipline appropriate for Judge Murphy's actions.

Murphy was suspended by the Florida Supreme Court on October 6 in relation to a 2014 incident in which he challenged Assistant Public Defender Andrew Weinstock to a fistfight.

The JQC also questioned Murphy's claim that he is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after earlier maintaining he hadn't even after undergoing what is referred to as a "comprehensive evaluation." was termed as "problematical at best" by the commission.

But, it adds that if his claim is true that the PTSD could impact his ability to perform during stressful situations, which they say contradict his statements that such a moment will never happen again.
They also say that the isolated nature of the incident wasn't important anyway.

"It is not the "isolation" of an event that determines its importance," states the JQC in their response.

 "Instead, it is the seriousness of the event. Our judicial system evolved over the centuries as a substitute for violence and bloodshed as a method for resolving human disputes.Judge Murphy's resort to threats and violence against a lawyer appearing in his court is antithetical to the function of courts as reason-based institutions where law is applied to facts to reach rational decisions."

The JQC also states that the judge's reliance on past rulings made by the court in relation to what his case is misguided.

Murphy was suspended by the Florida Supreme Court on October 6 in relation to a 2014 incident in which he challenged Assistant Public Defender Andrew Weinstock to a fistfight.

Full Article & Source:
Commission slams Brevard judge again

See Also:
Brevard County Judge John C. Murphy Could Face Discipline after Scuffle

Judge immediately suspended and facing removal for scuffle with public defender