Columbia Standard

President Joe Biden’s nominee for United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts, Brian Murphy, is under scrutiny for his involvement in advocating for radical anti-police and soft-on-crime policies. Murphy, a Member of the Board of the Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (MACDL), was involved in sending a letter that called for the elimination of arrests for crimes such as assault and battery and breaking and entering.

According to the letter, Murphy and the MACDL Board of Directors argued for significant changes in law enforcement procedures. The letter states, "The headlines are flooded with violence by police officers against Black citizens at the time of arrest... This would not only eliminate arrests for all alleged minor infractions... but also for fraught and unnecessary police encounters involving possessory offenses, assault and battery, breaking and entering, and similar offenses."

Additionally, the letter accused police officers of filing false charges to cover up instances of police brutality, suggesting that eliminating arrests for most crimes could prevent police violence against Black individuals and reduce false complaints of resisting arrest and assault on officers.

The letter also highlighted disparities in the legal system, proposing that defendants should be tried before peers from their community rather than a county-wide jury lacking racial diversity.

Despite Murphy's disclaimer of knowledge of the letter, his name appeared on the MACDL letterhead, and he failed to disclose the letter on his Senate Judiciary Committee questionnaire as required. In response to questions from U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, Murphy apologized for the omission.

The MACDL Board of Directors expressed their readiness to assist in implementing the proposed radical changes, stating, "We stand ready to help."

Murphy's nomination is now facing increased scrutiny due to his association with the controversial letter advocating for the elimination of arrests for various crimes, including assault and battery and breaking and entering.