Retired judge who wrote the book on Maryland’s evidentiary rules dies at 78

BALTIMORE — A retired Maryland Court docket of Appeals decide who compiled a ebook in regards to the state’s evidentiary guidelines died Wednesday following an extended sickness, in response to the Maryland Each day File.

Joesph F. Murphy Jr. served on three ranges of the judiciary throughout his lifetime. He died on the age of 78.

Murphy started climbing the Maryland judiciary ladder in 1984 as a Baltimore County Circuit decide. In 1993, he was appointed to the Court docket of Particular Appeals, which is the place he served as chief decide from 1996 till 2007, the Maryland Each day File stories.

That 12 months, former Gov. Martin O’Malley appointed him to the Court docket of Appeals.

Many Maryland legislation college students know of Murphy as a result of he gained notoriety because the writer of the Maryland Proof Handbook. The primary version of that ebook was printed in 1985, in response to the College of Maryland Francis King Carey College of Legislation.

He is named one in all Maryland’s foremost consultants in proof, trial follow, and appellate advocacy, college employees mentioned in a web based memorial.

Murphy stepped down from his place on the excessive courtroom on the age of 67 to follow legislation alongside his daughter, Erin Murphy. He had three extra years earlier than the state would have mandated his retirement on the age of 70, in response to the Maryland Each day File.

Murphy spent his post-judicial retirement years working together with his daughter at Silverman, Thompson, Slutkin &White LLC. He was a accomplice on the legislation agency and was capable of watch his daughter rise to fellow accomplice standing earlier than leaving to work as chief counsel within the Baltimore Metropolis state’s lawyer’s workplace, the Maryland Each day File stories.

After Murphy retired from personal follow in 2021, his mates and members of the Dissenters Legislation Membership in Baltimore County got here collectively to determine a scholarship in his title on the College of Maryland Francis King Carey College of Legislation.

The scholarship will likely be made obtainable this fall. It goals to supply assist for college students with an curiosity in trial or appellate advocacy, in response to college employees.

A wake will likely be held for Murphy at Ruck Funeral Dwelling in Towson on Aug. 4 . Viewing hours will likely be between 2 p.m.–4 p.m. and between 6 p.m.–8 p.m., in response to the Maryland Each day File. 

His funeral will likely be held on the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore on Aug. 5 at 1 p.m., the Maryland Each day File stories.