On Friday, March 28, 2025, DailyMail.com reported that Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mary Ann Murphy is facing serious allegations of abusive conduct and racial bias in her courtroom. A motion supported by 17 attorneys details claims of her “explosive” temper and harmful behavior toward lawyers and litigants, including a disturbing incident involving a young quadriplegic witness.

Attorney Nicholas C. Rowley lodged a complaint against Judge Murphy, asserting that her actions have created an intimidating atmosphere for legal professionals, ultimately hindering their ability to represent their clients effectively. Rowley described her demeanor as that of a “bully” and stated that her conduct has been tolerated for years, but he believes this is the first instance where someone has taken a stand against her.

The complaint outlines various troubling behaviors, including instances where Murphy reportedly “screams” at lawyers and shows overt favoritism in her rulings. Rowley emphasized that the situation has escalated to the point where ten court reporters refused to work in her courtroom following their awareness of her presiding over cases.

Rowley has formally requested the removal of Judge Murphy from a trial involving six children whose families are suing the Mountain View School District in South El Monte. The lawsuit, which seeks $100 million, stems from allegations of negligence related to the conviction of teacher Joseph Alfred Baldenebro, who was sentenced to 20 years for inappropriately touching young girls.

The motion also highlights negative online reviews of Judge Murphy, with complaints about her treatment of court staff and attorneys. Reports include her reprimanding a court clerk for sneezing during a hearing and berating an elderly attorney struggling to hear her. Rowley claims that Murphy has actively obstructed his attempts to question jurors during jury selection, a standard part of the trial process.

Rowley’s motion cites that Murphy’s rude interruptions during voir dire, or jury selection, were unprecedented in his extensive experience of 185 jury trials. He accuses her of failing to allow him to interact with jurors in a respectful manner, which he argues compromises the fairness of the trial.

Sarah Havens, president of the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego, has supported Rowley’s claims with a declaration stating that Murphy’s conduct negatively influenced jurors’ perceptions. Havens noted that the tense atmosphere in the courtroom was palpable, suggesting that jurors could not fairly serve on the panel after witnessing Murphy’s behavior.

Moreover, the complaint alleges that Murphy has caused emotional distress among attorneys, claiming her outbursts have brought some to tears. There are reports of her expelling individuals from her courtroom under dubious circumstances, seemingly to prevent the documentation of her conduct.

Attorney Keith Bruno, who is working alongside Rowley, recounted an incident where Murphy displayed open hostility toward an elderly teacher testifying about a suspected pedophile. Rowley also accused Murphy of using racially charged language, particularly referring to a Latina attorney as having “scurried,” a term he argues evokes negative stereotypes.

Furthermore, Rowley pointed out that Murphy has failed to maintain order in her courtroom, allowing physical altercations between attorneys to go unchecked. One attorney, Sung “Sean” Kim, described an altercation during a sidebar discussion that Murphy did not address.

In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Superior Court confirmed that all complaints are thoroughly investigated by Presiding Judge Sergio C. Tapia II. If an investigation finds that Judge Murphy violated the Code of Judicial Ethics, appropriate actions may be taken, including reporting the matter to the Commission on Judicial Performance.

Following the submission of the complaint, Rowley indicated that there have been improvements in Murphy’s behavior, although the extent of these changes remains to be seen as the investigation progresses.

 

 

Source: DailyMail.com