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NM Judge Pat Murdoch to Retire: Charged with Raping Prostitute

By Cynthia Hsu, Esq. on July 28, 2011 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

If you're a judge who's been arrested on charges of criminal sexual penetration and intimidation of a witness, what would you do? Keep on presiding over the criminal court you've been presiding over before your arrest? Well, if you're Judge Pat Murdoch, you retire.

The New Mexico judge is retiring after his much-publicized run-in with the law, according to KOAT-TV.

Additionally, Murdoch has agreed to never seek a judicial position in New Mexico ever again, KOAT-TV reports. Why the sudden retirement and agreement?

Well, apparently not only was Judge Murdoch's bright legal career up in flames by the rape allegations, but the Judicial Standards Commission decided to step in and do an ethics investigation, effectively fanning the fire, reports KOAT-TV. And pouring on some gas.

Though, it's probably safe to say that even if Murdoch manages to win his criminal case, the likelihood that his entire reputation will be salvaged is unlikely considering the facts of the case.

New Mexico police had allegedly paid around $400 for the woman Judge Murdoch is accused of raping, a prostitute, to hand over a video with the judge in it, reports KOAT-TV.

One would think that the police likely viewed this video as evidence to make sure Judge Murdoch really was the man in the video.

It seems that Judge Murdoch's attorneys might be hoping that they are able to still clear whatever's left of his good name. They recently filed a motion to dismiss the charges, saying that the judge is actually the real victim of the crime.

Is Judge Murdoch really the victim in this case? Either way, now that Judge Pat Murdoch is set to retire, it seems like his career might need some assistance even if he manages to overcome the criminal charges.

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