Gov. Susana Martinez
Gov. Susana Martinez issued a statement today calling the indictment of Third Judicial District Judge Mike Murphy “deeply troubling.”
“The indictment of a sitting judge on charges that he paid bribes for his judicial appointment and solicited bribes from another judicial candidate is deeply troubling,” Martinez said in a prepared statement. “No one is above the law, and this criminal defendant should not be given any special treatment.”
It’s the first time Martinez has commented publicly about a case she initiated. Third Judicial District Judge Lisa Schultz brought the allegations against Murphy to Martinez in 2009, when Martinez was Doña Ana County’s district attorney. Martinez appointed Ninth Judicial District Attorney Matt Chandler to investigate and prosecute the case because of her conflict. Murphy heard cases in the court where Martinez prosecuted.
The statement Martinez released today said nothing about her involvement in the case.
It’s worth noting that, despite Martinez’s statement, Murphy isn’t charged with paying a bribe. He’s charged with soliciting one from another judicial applicant.
A grand jury indicted Murphy Friday on third-degree felony charges of demanding or receiving a bribe by a public employee; bribery of a public officer or employee; and bribery, intimidation, or retaliation against a witness, in addition to a fourth-degree felony charge of criminal solicitation.
Prosecutors allege that Murphy solicited a bribe from potential judicial applicant Beverly Singleman, told Schultz to tell Singleman she needed to pay the bribe, and threatened to destroy Singleman’s reputation for telling others that he solicited a bribe from her. No one else, including Richardson, has been charged or received notice that they may be indicted in the case, but Chandler’s investigation is ongoing.
Murphy’s attorney says his client is innocent.
A prior version of this article incorrectly stated that Murphy is charged with paying a bribe for his position.