UKIAH, 8/31/22 — Former Ukiah Police Dept. Sgt Kevin Murray was sentenced to two years probation and 250 hours of community service Tuesday after taking a plea deal that dismissed multiple felony sexual assault charges. The deal allowed the ex-cop to dodge a public trial as well as the minimum 16-month jail term indicated on his plea form. Murray has been ordered to provide a DNA sample to the state and participate in the three-year Sex Offenders And Families in Effective Recovery (SAFER) program for at least one year, but he will not be required to register as a sex offender.
Murray pleaded no contest July 7 to violating Penal Code 136.1 (b) 1, or dissuading a victim from reporting her sexual assault. His attorneys have stated in court briefs that Murray pleaded no contest based on an understanding with the court that no jail time would be imposed. P.C. 136.1 is a “wobbler” offense, meaning it can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on circumstances. After serving out his sentence, Murray may be eligible to have the felony reduced to misdemeanor or expunge it entirely, meaning he could legally purchase firearms again or possibly return to work in law enforcement.
Trent James, who served as both a deputy with the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office and a canine officer with the Willits Police Department before launching a YouTube channel criticizing police corruption, said in a letter to The Voice that this case demonstrates the justice system is broken — and dirty cops get “extreme leeway and special treatment” on the rare occasions they face criminal prosecution in Mendocino County.
“Murray’s sentencing sends a very clear message to not only the citizens of Mendocino County, but also current law enforcement, that this type of behavior is okay,” James wrote. “With this ‘slap on the wrist’ punishment for extremely egregious crimes there is very little, if any, deterrence from others committing the same crimes.”
The sentencing hearing was well attended, with a full gallery and numerous local journalists monitoring the court’s public Zoom meeting — but courtroom staff did not start the meeting or admit reporters prior to the start of the hearing. Moreover, the audio was muted. The Voice will obtain transcripts of the hearing and post those documents as soon as possible.
Where is he going to do community service? For who Eyster maybe for Ann.
He raped women dirty cop. He can go back into law enforcement buy guns?
People wake up! Women be careful when your pulled over by the UPD! Lock your doors don’t get out of the car watch your back. My guess there’s more to come from this corrupt city and UPD.
This has been the overall degree of accountability that any of mendocino countys resident police and fire officials (current and retired) face when it comes to various sordid criminal behavior.. (remembering the horrid nature of the Gary Bruchelor case where he bypassed the concept of present ability and opted to wander into his garage to retrieve his firemans axe (he was a retired local fire authority) and proceed back into his den where he stood , foot planted on his 34 yr old sons chest and crushed his son Johns face beyond recognition.. he was jailed til his trial and released when his crime was somehow deemed “self defense” …this is going against every principle they teach in domestic violence class when they so urgently preach the value of “present ability” which simply means that if you can walk away and fail to do so then you cannot claim you actede in self defense…unless you are a retired fire chief in mendocino county…i guess i overlooked that notation but i must assume its there because no sane judge would apply such a judgement if it were not! I must also assume there are similar notations to the law in regards to Srgnt. Murrays case as well…lest we have jesters plaguing our courts?
SHAME ON YOU MENDOCINO COUNTY – TOTALLY CORRUPT
ALL HE JUDGES ALL THE PROSECUTORS ALL THE COPS
HEY ARE CRIMINALS & PART OF A CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY !!
ONLY TOTAL MORONS WOULD SETTLE FOR/ PUT UP WITH
THIS JOKE ON THE PUBLIC ! DEMAND A FEDERAL INTERVNION
Lock the pig up or, better yet, gun him down in the street like the rabid animal he is.
Who is the judge? That should be in the article.
How can we have the grand jury investigation into the DA, David Easter, the Judge, Ann Moorman, Kevin Murray and his lawyers?