Judge John Murphy of Melbourne, FL; pugilist, bully

The state of Florida presented John C. Murphy with a law license in 1983 after he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

In early June 2014, Judge Murphy and longtime public defender Andrew Weinstock exchanged words in a Brevard County courtroom after Murphy tried to coerce Weinstock into asking his client to waive his constitutional right to a speedy trial.

Judge Murphy then told Weinstock:

• “You know, if I had a rock I would throw it at you right now.”
• “Stop pissing me off. Just sit down.”

Mr. Weinstock responded by saying:

• “You know, I’m the public defender. I have a right to be here, and I have a right to stand and represent my client.”

Judge Murphy then challenged Weinstock to go into a back hallway, where there were not cameras, to fight. Murphy then told Weinstock:

• “If you want to fight, let’s go out back, and I’ll just beat your ass.”  Shortly thereafter, Weinstock and Murphy left the courtroom

Mr. Weinstock’s supervisor, Blaise Trettis said he saw the judge throw several punches at Weinstock.

Court deputies broke up the fight, and Mr. Weinstock was reassigned to another area so as to keep him from having to interact with Johnny the Pugilist.

Because Judicial Misfits in Florida are held to a lower standard then everyone else, Murphy was never arrested or criminally charged for punching Weinstock.

The public defender’s office said they would report the incident to the Florida Bar. Given the Bar’s record of punishing wayward judges, Murphy doesn’t have anything to worry about. At worst he’ll receive a complimentary reprimand and ordered to attend Anger Management classes at the Alec Baldwin Institute for Anger Management located in Beverly Hills, Calfiornia.