Robert M. Murphy Jr., the former director of sports medicine at North Carolina State University, was taken into custody in Florida on Wednesday evening. He is currently being held at the Marion County jail on fugitive warrants originating from North Carolina, following a Wake County grand jury indictment issued on September 14.
Murphy faces a total of 32 charges, including nine felony counts of sexual contact under the pretext of medical treatment and 23 misdemeanor counts of sexual battery. Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman confirmed the indictment in a statement to The Associated Press, noting that the charges are connected to 14 victims who were interviewed during a multiyear investigation.
“This is a big step in a longer process committed to seeking justice on behalf of these victims,” Freeman said. “We commend the hard work of law enforcement and the courage of the victims who have brought us to this point.”
The criminal case marks a significant escalation from previous legal battles. The allegations initially emerged in a federal civil lawsuit filed four years ago by a single athlete, who alleged misconduct dating back to 2015, including improper genital touching during massages and intrusive observation during drug testing. By late January, that civil suit had grown to include 31 former Wolfpack athletes, though a judge dismissed the case in June citing procedural issues and statutes of limitations. Attorneys for the players have since appealed that dismissal.
According to the indictments, the alleged incidents spanned from October 2016 to the fall of 2021. Some accusers have asserted that former athletic director Debbie Yow and other university officials were aware of concerns regarding Murphy’s behavior but failed to investigate or prevent him from continuing to work with male athletes.
Attorneys Jared Hammett and Seth Blum, who represent Murphy, denied any wrongdoing in a Thursday statement. They expressed disappointment in the prosecution, referencing a 2022 N.C. State campus police investigation that resulted in no criminal charges at the time. “We are very disappointed that the Wake County District Attorney’s office would choose to prosecute based on a changing story,” Hammett and Blum said. “Four years ago law enforcement concluded there was not enough to support charges.”
Conversely, Kerry Sutton, an attorney representing the athletes, reported that the number of individuals coming forward has now reached 35. “This is a huge development for the men,” Sutton stated, thanking Wake Assistant District Attorney Melanie Shekita and law enforcement agencies in both North Carolina and Florida.
North Carolina State University released a statement acknowledging the criminal charges. “Sexual misconduct of any kind is unacceptable,” the university said. “The health and safety of students and student-athletes is paramount to N.C. State Athletics and the university. We are aware of the charges filed by Wake County against Robert Murphy. We will cooperate with law enforcement in this matter.”
Leave a Reply