Less Investigation, More Verdict

Judge Patrick B. Murphy long ago became an embarrassment to his colleagues on the Los Angeles Superior Court. Now his extended paid sick leaves, taken as he dabbled in other pursuits, threaten to blemish the state agency charged with judicial discipline.

While logging some 400 sick days in the last four years, Murphy secretly attended a Caribbean medical school, taught at a local law school and enrolled in a chiropractic college. The judge claims that chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and even a phobia about being a judge kept him from doing his job--but not from collecting his salary, now $133,051 a year.

Murphy is accused by the state Commission on Judicial Performance of malingering, willful misconduct and dereliction of duty, charges that could--and should--result in his prompt removal.

The judge denies wrongdoing but admits to “the appearance of impropriety.� He says he wouldn’t contest a finding that he is disabled. Especially since that finding would keep 65% of his salary coming.

The commission first opened a file on these charges at least 18 months ago. Yet even after last week’s public hearing, a four-day melodrama, the panel says it still needs two or three more months to decide Judge Murphy’s future. That’s two or three more months during which taxpayers will throw good money after bad for Murphy’s paid leave. It strains credulity to think that commission members actually need more evidence to reach the obvious conclusion: that Murphy has disgraced the bench and should be removed now.