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Greencastle Banner Graphic

Alleged molester going to trial

Wednesday, August 19, 2009
By JAMIE BARRAND, Editor

GREENCASTLE -- A Fillmore man facing seven felony counts in connection with alleged incidences of child molestation will face a jury in Putnam County Circuit Court on Aug. 26.

Lee Alan Murphy, 35, is charged with two counts of Class A felony child molesting, two counts of Class B felony sexual misconduct with a minor, Class C felonies child molesting and sexual misconduct with a minor and Class D felony dissemination of matter harmful to a minor.

Murphy, who was arrested on March 11, remains lodged in the Putnam County Jail. He pled not guilty to all charges at an initial hearing on March 13. His bond was set at $50,000 cash only.

He was set to enter a change of plea on June 18, but on June 17 he withdrew his request for a change of plea hearing.

The charges against Murphy stem from allegations made by a female minor that Murphy had made her perform various sexual acts. The alleged victim told authorities she couldn't remember how long the molestation had been occurring.

Representatives from Putnam County Child Protective Services contacted the Indiana State Police, and an investigation was launched. Murphy met with ISP detectives at the Putnamville post, court documents said, and backed up much of the alleged victim's story.

Murphy told officers he believed the incidents involving himself and the alleged victim occurred between the summer of 2007 and the fall of 2008.

No plea agreements have been extended in the case. If convicted on all charges, Murphy could face a prison sentence of over 150 years.

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  • "Molestor?" What is a "Molestor?"

    -- Posted by reckman on Wed, Aug 19, 2009, at 8:13 AM

  • Why publish this story prior to the jury trial? Now, all potential jurors will have insight into this case before they get to the courthouse. I believe this guy should be punished to max, But, with this story in prior to the trial, it may be harder to get a jury that is not bias. The last thing we would want, is this case being thrown out. Duh! I think the Banner should think before printing these things before the trial.

    -- Posted by ladycubs on Wed, Aug 19, 2009, at 8:50 AM

  • Unbelievable, how do you expect a fair trial in Putnam County after posting this story. So if his lawyer is smart, they will ask for a change of venue to another county and that will cost taxpayers a lot of money. Also, you should get your facts straight before printing. If you call the prosecutors office you will find that at least one of the charges have been dropped. Why

    isn't this newspaper accountable for the articles they publish?? I'm sure the court will not appreciate the fact that you may be instrumental in

    getting this alledged criminal off scott free by

    making it to difficult to get a fair trial from an unbiased jury.

    -- Posted by sisterrose812 on Wed, Aug 19, 2009, at 3:16 PM

  • To many court stories.....not the first time this has happened but she is just doing her job...blah blah blah.

    -- Posted by citizenoftheworld on Wed, Aug 19, 2009, at 3:37 PM

  • seriously reckman..I make a valid point (although it got deleted..lol) and all you can do is worry about how I misspelled one word at 7 o'clock in the morning after being up all night with two sick children? Friend of yours is he??

    -- Posted by putnammom on Wed, Aug 19, 2009, at 10:25 PM

  • Hats off to the Banner Graphic. Inside sources say a change of venue is being filed because of your article. Why don't you suggest that the prosecutor save the tax payers of Putnam County some serious money and plea bargain this one out.

    Why didn't you let the judicial system run it's course before you thoughtlessly print articles of this nature

    -- Posted by sisterrose812 on Thu, Aug 20, 2009, at 2:14 PM
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