Judges and Judiciary,
Ethics/Professional Responsibility
Jul. 19, 2022
No proof of wrongdoing by prosecutor who is now judge, special masters say
Given that Judge Michael Murray is accused of misconduct solely when he was a DDA years ago, and the evidence regarding his behavior as a judge was consistently stellar, we do not believe that a ‘reasonable observer’ would find that his conduct, even if deemed a Brady violation, would ‘tarnish public esteem for the judiciary,’” 2nd District Court of Appeal Justice Judith M. Ashmann-Gerst, retired 4th District Justice Patricia D. Benke and San Joaquin County Superior Court Judge George Abdallah wrote in their report to the Commission on Judicial Performance.
Orange County Superior Court Judge Michael F. Murray should not be disciplined for allegedly suppressing exculpatory evidence in a murder case he prosecuted years ago as a deputy district attorney, a panel of special masters reported Monday to California's judicial watchdog agency.
The panel concluded that while the "prosecution team," including California Highway Patrol investigators and others, did violate defendant Cole Allen Wilkins' Br...
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