Viera judge Murphy offers public apology
The Brevard County judge whose profanity-laced courtroom outburst and hallway scuffle with a defense attorney were captured on video has offered a public apology.
"There may not be words strong enough to express the regret I have over my actions of June 2 — not because of the consequences to me but because it was wrong and may have tarnished the reputation of the entire judiciary," Judge John C. Murphy wrote in a Sunday afternoon open letter to Brevard County residents.
"I love my job and have refocused myself on doing all I can to make myself a better person and a better judge," he stated.
Murphy took a paid leave of absence and has received anger management counseling since the fracas four weeks ago. He returns to work this morning under a new assignment: handling county civil cases, rather than criminal cases.
He will do most of his work in his chambers at the Titusville Courthouse unless there is a trial or a hearing with multiple parties, said Michelle Kennedy, Eighteenth Judicial Circuit spokeswoman. In those cases, he will use a designated courtroom.
"The county courts in Florida are the trial courts of limited jurisdiction. The county courts have general jurisdiction over actions of law in which the matter or controversy does not exceed $15,000, small claims — i.e. matters or controversy under $5,000 — and most landlord-tenant actions," Kennedy said.
Murphy was recorded in court threatening to fight Assistant Public Defender Andrew Weinstock, who followed the judge into a hallway. A Brevard County Sheriff's deputy saw the men gripping each other around the upper collars of their suit jackets while screaming, an investigative report shows.
In his letter, Murphy stated he is "committed to continuing personal improvement" so he can win back the confidence of Brevard residents.
"My leave of absence has allowed me to slow down, reflect, and work on my personal and professional shortcomings. I seek to ensure that this sort of unacceptable behavior will never happen again," he wrote.
"I am very happy to get back to work. I thank all the judges, lawyers, military, church friends, and the public who have shown their support for me because they know the true John Murphy."
Contact Neale at 321-242-3638, rneale@floridatoday.com or follow @RickNeale1.