On Friday, November 7, 2025, the California Commission on Judicial Performance announced the scheduling of a public hearing and the appointment of special masters in the matter concerning retired Justice William J. Murray, Jr. Justice Murray, formerly of the California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, is the subject of formal proceedings initiated by the commission on June 16, 2025.

The hearing is set to commence on Monday, December 1, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. It will be held at the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento, located at 720 9th Street, Sacramento, California. The proceedings will be open to the public, allowing for transparency in the inquiry.

To conduct the hearing, the California Supreme Court has appointed a panel of special masters. This panel includes Honorable Maurice Sanchez of the Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division Three; Honorable Anthony J. Mohr (Ret.) of the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles; and Honorable B. Tam Nomoto Schumann (Ret.) of the Superior Court of California, County of Orange. These special masters will oversee the presentation of evidence, as well as the examination and cross-examination of witnesses by all parties involved.

Representing the Commission on Judicial Performance as Examiners will be Commission Trial Counsel Mark A. Lizarraga and Assistant Trial Counsel Melissa G. Murphy. Justice Murray is represented by attorneys Randall A. Miller, Andrew J. Waxler, and Jeanette Chu, all of Los Angeles.

Following the hearing, the special masters will compile a report detailing their findings regarding the charges against Justice Murray. Both parties will then have the opportunity to respond to the report through written briefs and oral arguments presented before the commission. The commission will then determine whether the charges have been proven by clear and convincing evidence. If proven, the commission is empowered to impose disciplinary measures as outlined in the California Constitution. Any charges not proven will be dismissed.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.