BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — A Brevard County judge who has been suspended for more than a year after a tussle with a public defender is saying post traumatic stress played a role in the confrontation.
Judge John Murphy said PTSD from his time in the military was at play when he threatened a public defender in his courtroom last year, according to newly released documents.
PDF: JQC findings, conclusions and recommendations on Judge Murphy
Raw Video: Judge tells attorney 'I'll beat your ass' (Warning: Graphic language)
Murphy’s attorneys said the judge entered counseling almost immediately after the incident and called his outbursts a blemish on an otherwise stellar career. They are fighting to keep Murphy on the bench.
During the incident in question last June, Murphy told the public defender, “If I had a rock, I would throw it at you right now.”
“Stop pissing me off,” Murphy said. “Just sit down.”
Murphy also challenged the public defender to a physical confrontation.
“If you want to fight, let’s go out back and I’ll just beat your ass,” Murphy said.
The judge’s assertion of PTSD in explaining the incident could actually make things worse for him, said WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer.
“The question is, is the Supreme Court going to take another look at this now that he just advanced with more vigor the reason why he committed these acts,” Sheaffer said.
No decision has been made concerning Murphy’s final punishment.