Murphy honored for life of service
The longtime federal judge will transition to senior status by the end of the month.
During Friday’s Community Criminal Justice Foundation event, longtime federal Judge Harold L. Murphy displayed the keen wit and sense of humor that has made him a courtroom favorite of attorneys all over the Southeast.
As CCJF founder Greg Sumner presented him with a gift of water tumblers with the city of Rome logo on them, Murphy — who will transition from active to senior status at the end of March when he turns 90 — asked, “Does it have to be for water?”
Mayor Jamie Doss and City Commissioner Evie McNiece presented the judge, who has presided over the Northern District of Georgia’s Rome division for almost 40 years, with a key to the city.
“It opens all the doors,” Doss said.
“Does it open any vaults?” Murphy responded.
Murphy also received a proclamation from the city recognizing his long service to the criminal justice system.
After serving in the Navy at the end of World War II, Murphy returned to his native Haralson County and served in the state House from 1951-1961.
“I didn’t accomplish much but I learned a lot,” he said.
When Murphy decided not to seek re-election, his cousin Tom Murphy was elected to the seat.
“I turned honest and got out of the legislature and he took over the job,” he said.
Murphy was appointed to the bench in the Tallapoosa Circuit by Gov. Jimmy Carter in 1971 and served until 1977 when President Carter appointed him to the federal judgeship.
“My primary purpose for coming here today is to honor all these law enforcement people,” he said. “It’s been my privilege to serve with law enforcement officers my entire career. You deserve more than I can say.”
The veteran jurist said one of the most memorable cases he presided over was the racketeering trial of Michael Thevis, a self-proclaimed pornography king. It was a case that involved elements of murder, pornography and bribery that played out over nine weeks in the fall of 1979, resulting in a racketeering conviction.
Thevis drew a life sentence from Murphy at the conclusion of the trial.
Murphy also was called on to preside over the higher education lawsuit involving funding for historically black colleges in Alabama.
He ruled there was evidence of discrimination, and the state and university system must change financing and enrollment guidelines and hire more black administrators and faculty.
Murphy said the case lasted over six months and ended with him writing a 1,000-page order.
“I maintained jurisdiction over that matter for 15 years,” he said.
Alabama State University, one of the historically black schools that benefited from Murphy’s ruling, later named its graduate school after him.
The CCJF, created 18 years ago, has a two-fold mission, the organization holds an annual appreciation luncheon to thank law enforcement personnel across all
levels — local, state and federal agencies.
The CCJF also provides scholarship funds to allow law enforcement personnel to further their education. When the nonprofit was
started, it initially provided one scholarship a year. Today, it provides four scholarships, two at Georgia Highlands College and two at Georgia Northwestern Technical College.