Murphy sentenced to 60 years

Friday, October 2, 2009
Murphy

GREENCASTLE -- A Fillmore man convicted of molesting a female child numerous times over a period of several years was handed a 60-year prison sentence Thursday in Putnam County Circuit Court.

Judge Matthew Headley sentenced Lee Alan Murphy, 35, to 40 years for Class A felony child molesting, 10 years each for two counts of Class B felony sexual misconduct with a minor, four years for Class C felony child molesting and 18 months for Class D felony dissemination of matter harmful to a minor.

Headley ordered that Murphy should serve 60 years and spend the last five years and six months of his sentence on probation.

Murphy admitted he had sexually abused the victim on several occasions between the summer of 2007 and the fall of 2008.

"These were deplorable acts," Headley said. "Ones that you deserve to be in prison a long time for."

The state recommended a 70-year sentence with 60 years executed, and also asked for Murphy to be deemed a violent sexual predator.

Murphy's court-appointed attorney Melinda Jackman-Hanlin requested that the Class A felony count be set aside because there was some discrepancy about how old the victim was when the actual molestation took place (charges are enhanced if a child who is molested is under the age of 14).

Putnam County Prosecutor Tim Bookwalter didn't consider Jackman-Hanlin's argument on that point to be valid.

"We had Mr. Murphy under oath; he heard the allegations," Bookwalter said. "He pled guilty."

Headley agreed with Bookwalter and denied Jackman-Hanlin's request.

James Duncan, a detective with the Indiana State Police, said Murphy confessed during an audio taped interview to molesting the victim. Duncan said he never interviewed the victim personally, but that he watched the interview via closed circuit television.

Duncan said the victim, now 15, was sexually abused by Murphy when she was between the ages of 12 and 14. He said the girl is "mildly mentally handicapped," that she functions at a second grade level and is in special education classes at school.

Murphy, who sobbed audibly through most of the sentencing hearing, declined to testify in his own defense.

Jackman-Hanlin asked for the court to consider several mitigating circumstances, including the fact that Murphy had no prior criminal history, that he had "every intention" of pleading guilty to all charges before he was housed at the Putnam County Jail with "an individual who convinced him to do otherwise," that he confessed to his crimes and that his guilty pleas spared the victim from having to testify in front of a judge and jury.

"He has shown remorse," Jackman-Hanlin said. "I think he does feel truly bad about what he has done."

Jackman also noted that Murphy said he himself had been the victim of sexual abuse.

"That's what you're saying, but I have no proof of that," Headley said.

Headley also ordered that Murphy should have no contact with any child under the age of 18 while he was under court supervision, but said he would make an exception so Murphy could have contact with his three sons.

Murphy will receive credit for the 224 days he has spent in jail. He was arrested on March 11 and has been in jail since then.

A jury trial in Murphy's case was set to begin Aug. 26. The jury had been selected and was seated when Murphy informed the court he would instead plead guilty.

Jackman-Hanlin attempted to have the venue changed for the trial, saying media coverage of the case would have made it impossible for her client to get a fair trial in Putnam County. Headley dismissed Jackman-Hanlin's motion without a hearing.

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  • GOOD JOB, Here he comes BuBBA. Bubba make us all proud of you!

    -- Posted by Sand mann on Fri, Oct 2, 2009, at 8:07 AM
  • I realize it is very costly to sentence someone to prison for so many years, but this person should never see the "light of day" ever. He should be placed in "solitary confinement" and feel only bread and water. To molest a young girl age 12-14 is horrible. But what is even worst, is to molest a mentally challenged person.

    This girl had enough challenges in life, now more.

    I feel that certain parts of this man should be amputated and insert a catheter for urinary purposes.

    -- Posted by Taxpayer5253 on Fri, Oct 2, 2009, at 8:49 AM
  • this is sick! this creep needs to stay off the streets and be behind bars for the rest of his life. If we dnt start cracking down crime is just going to get worse!!!!!!!

    -- Posted by januarybabii90 on Fri, Oct 2, 2009, at 9:00 AM
  • If he could have received 70 years, why wouldn't the judge give him 70 years? Child molesters should NEVER be able to live in society again. A bullet or piece of rope would be alot cheaper, but since that isn't possible, the maximum amount of time in prison would be a little more acceptable. Child molestation should be deemed a capital offense and therefore eligible for the death penalty. Our children deserve to be protected by any and all means necessary. Murphy, hope you GET everything YOU deserve and more, you sick freak!

    -- Posted by NotSoInnocent on Fri, Oct 2, 2009, at 9:06 AM
  • I VOTE FOR PUBLIC HANGINGS for ALL child molesters especially if they admit to it! or take a PLEA

    -- Posted by Sand mann on Fri, Oct 2, 2009, at 9:18 AM
  • GOOD JOB TO ALL THAT HELPED GET HIM BEHIND BARS!!!

    He is a disgusting excuse for a human. He said he was a victim of abuse, does that make it ok that he did it to some young girl? He should know better than anybody how it can affect sombody.

    I hope he never makes it out of prison.

    That poor girl will forever suffer with what has happened to her.

    He should suffer too.

    -- Posted by day138 on Fri, Oct 2, 2009, at 2:55 PM
  • npgrad2008,

    Great we will have to take care of him when he gets out.

    It has been told a cockroach can live through anything.

    -- Posted by Sand mann on Fri, Oct 2, 2009, at 3:31 PM
  • rot!

    -- Posted by herz2kool on Fri, Oct 2, 2009, at 4:09 PM
  • Victory04:PUT A SOCK IN IT!!!!!!!

    -- Posted by guesswhonow on Fri, Oct 2, 2009, at 6:25 PM
  • We can only hope,"they" will punish him again when he gets to prison. I have heard they do not like these kind of scum bags!!

    -- Posted by bakermom on Fri, Oct 2, 2009, at 6:31 PM
  • I am surprised some liberal professor hasn't come to this poor man's rescue.If Roman Polanski shouldn't be picked on ,then surely a common man like this should be left alone.Come on DePauw professors!!

    Wheres the love?

    -- Posted by brad a on Fri, Oct 2, 2009, at 7:46 PM
  • Victory04:

    Do your seriously mean that an inmate with the sobriquet "Bubba" should punish him further? So you are in favor of homosexual rape within an institution--which is a crime. You have some perverted hierarchy of evil--just like the inmates--"I committed burglary, but he did something worse so I can rape him with righteous indignation"; and the approval of idiots like you. Apparently from the number of your postings, you are unemployed,

    -- Posted by reckman on Fri, Oct 2, 2009, at 10:46 PM
  • guesswhonow ,

    he must be family. sorry if I got into your feelings

    -- Posted by Sand mann on Mon, Oct 5, 2009, at 9:13 AM
  • reckman ,

    That is a saying,

    I'm NOT in favor of homosexual of ANY kind, for your information. I do believe in an eye for an eye. whatever that may be.

    By your comment --"I committed burglary, you are No better than the scum in prison. have a good day and eat more cheese!

    -- Posted by Sand mann on Mon, Oct 5, 2009, at 9:21 AM
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