You could get a doofus with stars in his eyes and dreams of future book deals such as Mark Hurlbert in the Kobe case. Even if the DA probably won't win the case, Murphy still gets dragged thru the mud.
They should retire all 23's...similar to what baseball did with 42....I know, off topic but I'm tired of reading about this Calvin junk.
Great post. What I don't understand is that I've read that this case never went to a grand jury. I'm not really sure what would motivate a prosecutor to skip that step. It also seems like something that you could use as a defense lawyer to indicate bias.
Man, I love the MURPH, I think they should remove THIS from the Power Dancers' Gallery: http://www.nba.com/rockets/dance/Power_Dancers_Fan_Photo_Galler-68854-130.html?curPhoto=15 Maybe just leave Daisy there.
Wow. Most prosecutors think the person they are charging is guilty??? A BOLD statement, my friend. Everyone knows simply being a defendant absolves one from moral impurity and the temptation to use the legal system to screw someone. I for one know that I am infallible and always unbiased.
Bad news for MURPHY... just heard the TEXAS RANGERS are involved in the investigation. Drew Carter is part of the investigation. He is the same Ranger that caught Rafael Rasendez Ramierez (The Rail Car Killer). Now you know that can not be a good thing! Lord I hope this is not true! ____________________________________________________ My favorite all-time Rockets.... 1. Rudy T 2. Hakeem 3. Clyde 4. Calvin Murphy 5. Yao 6. Sir Charles 7. Stevie Franchise 8. Sammario (Cassell and Elie) 9. Mad Max 10. Horry
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=1772592&type=story Wednesday, March 31, 2004 Murphy: 'I am not guilty of these charges' -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Associated Press HOUSTON -- Tears streaming down his face after appearing in a courtroom Wednesday, former Houston Rockets star Calvin Murphy declared he is innocent of charges he molested five of his daughters. "I am not guilty of these charges," Murphy said after his initial court appearance on the charges, at times blotting tears with a white hand towel. "I can't emphasize that enough." Murphy, 55, was a guard for the Rockets from 1970 to 1983 and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993. He has taken a leave of absence from his analyst duties on Rockets telecasts while he fights three charges of indecency with a child and three charges of aggravated sexual assault of a child. The women said the abuse occurred during 1988-91, according to an affidavit filed by the Texas Rangers. Murphy contends the claims by his daughters, now adults, stem from family discord related to a battle over money. Murphy has 14 children with several women. "My heart aches -- of course for me because I am in the spotlight -- but it really aches for my daughters, because there are reasons behind this kind of thing that will be brought out later," Murphy said. State District Judge Michael McSpadden set Murphy's next court appearance for April 27. In the meantime, prosecutor Lance Long said he would take the case to a grand jury to secure the formal indictment needed to send the case to trial. Long denied money was behind the claims. "After some of the girls came forward, some of the other girls were found by the Texas Rangers," said Long, couldn't recall how many daughters initially made the claims. "At no point in time had [the others] come forward about any of this abuse." Murphy has been aware of the investigation for two weeks, after a daughter told him that authorities had contacted her about the allegations, his attorney Rusty Hardin said. Hardin said he didn't know how the investigation began. Hardin said one daughter told him that nothing happened, but apparently is telling prosecutors something different. Murphy has not been interviewed by investigators. Hardin said he has brought forth a number of witnesses, children and adults, who insisted the abuse never happened. Murphy, an unlikely star from Niagara University because of his 5-foot-9 frame, averaged 17.9 points and shot 89.2 percent from the free throw line in his pro career. He was a high school star at Norwalk, Conn., before moving on to Niagara, where he was a two-time consensus All-America and led the school to a 22-7 record and an NCAA tournament berth in 1970. He was drafted in the second round that year by the San Diego Rockets, who moved to Houston the following season. Murphy quickly became a fan favorite despite playing on several bad teams. His 17,949 points were a franchise high until Hakeem Olajuwon passed him. Murphy missed just nine free throws -- and made 78 straight in one stretch -- in 1980-81 for a record single-season percentage of .958. His number hangs retired in the Toyota Center rafters.
Has there been any information on the 5 women making the accusations. Do any of them have successful careers? If they’re all unemployed or are in debt, that may help prove Murphy’s innocence.
Yes, it really is. Notice I didn't say "exclusively." But if a case isn't viable, any sensible prosecutor will not take it to trial. Prosecutors, except the very young ones and the politically ambitious, try to avoid trial at all costs. Sometime, just for fun, go down to your local County Court of Law. It's a freakin' zoo. Prosecutors are generally overworked regarding their case load, aren't paid all that well, and don't need the burden of a trial. If a case is weak, the prosecutor will generally let the charges drop... or plead it out for a weak sentence.
I didn't say it was perfect. But the thing is, by the time that someone is charged with a crime all sorts of "checks" and decisions have all been made towards a persons guilt. Except for the very corrupt, most cops aren't going to arrest people they think are innocent (except in limited situations regarding domestic violence). Even if they do, charges won't be pressed if the case is weak. Finally, if the defendant gets a lawyer and presses... a prosecutor will usually drop a weak case or plead it out for next to nothing. This is not to say that "they're all guilty, hang 'em up." It's a simple acknowledgement that the burden of proof at trial is different than that which law enforcement operate under... but that they're not going to arrest/indict people that they don't feel are guilty. That's a generalization, of course - but so was my initial comment.
Did anybody hear Rome talk about it today. He mentioned the story in his opening today. I wasn't able to find out what he said. Just curious
You know he clowned about the 14 kids from 9 different women. Other than that, he went pretty light on him, which I expected.
Harris County District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal is hardly a "doofus with stars in his eyes." From what I have read neither is Mark Hurlbert for that matter, although the latter is less experienced than Rosenthal. I'm pulling for Calvin, but IMO you are correct in observing that, regardless of outcome, Calvin's name is permanently besmirched.
that's all I've heard reported on 610 and ESPN yesterday. Unless something has changed as of this morning... please let me know otherwise.
The accusers have three different mothers. There are nine mothers. Your article mentions "14 children by three different women".
Everyone has an intial verdict, and I would lean towards guilty. Evidence #1: Crying. Innocent men don't usually cry. But many guilty men cry when they get caught or found out. Because they know what's coming next. They see the tumble. Jayson williams, OJ simpson (we all know he did it), and so on. Crying out of guilt. A very bad sign for Calvin in my opinion. Evidence #2: 14 Children, 6 mothers, 2 wives. That is evidence of some kind of problem. First of all 14 Children and 6 mothers means he's sexually active. Very active. Yet with little apparent sense responsibility. A bad combination. Certainly a tainted picture being provided with stats. Evidence #3: Testimoney from 5 daughters. Not one. Not two. But Five. That's a pretty big conspiracy. One daughter maybe. Two daughters maybe. But all five. Where's the motivation for all 5 to lie and drag the mud. I reserve my judjement until I hear the facts, but I'd certainly lean toward Calvin being guilty as unfortunate as that may be.
