Calvin Murphy indicted amid sexual abuse allegations by daughters
I've never been a fan of listening to Calvin Murphy doing color commentary during Rockets' games. Murphy's non-stop chatter, while enthusiastic and heartfelt, seem to be less about basketball than Calvin Murphy. Even so, Murphy has been a beloved member of the Houston community for many years now. Well, at least he was. I wonder how this situation will impact how Houstonians view him?
A grand jury indicted former Houston Rockets star Calvin Murphy today on six counts of sexual abuse, accusing him of molesting his five daughters when they were under the age of 14.
Murphy, 55, from Sugar Land, formally pleaded not guilty to the charges that were filed in March. He has maintained that the allegations stem from a dispute with his family members over money.
"Every time I hear these charges, it just eats at me; I get emotional every time I hear what is alleged," Murphy said outside the courtroom, as tears rolled down his cheeks. "I'm looking forward to my day in court."
The legendary Rockets player and TV commentator is accused of fondling or performing oral sex on the girls between 1988 and 1991, when they ranged in age from 6 to 13. He faces three counts of indecency with a child and three counts of aggravated sexual assault.
Murphy remains free on $20,000 bail. If convicted, Murphy could receive five years to life in prison for the aggravated offenses and two to 20 years for the indecency violations. He also could be eligible for probation because he does not have a criminal history....
Murphy, a guard for the Rockets from 1970 to 1983, has 14 children by nine women.
This may well BE all about the money. Given that it is essentially Murphy's words against that of his children, it is entirly possible that Murphy may be acquitted. Even if he is, will Murphy's reputation ever be restored? Will he ever be able to go out in public without being viewed by some as a child molester?
Worse, if he is guilty of these charges, what sort of monster have Houstonians been cheering all these years? If man has 14 children by nine different women, is he just randy, or should this have been taken as an indication of a larger problem?
Whatever the outcome, life for Calvin Murphy will likely never be the same. For some people, Murphy will always be a man with a black cloud (SEX OFFENDER) hanging over his head. Speaking only for myself, I've always viewed Murphy as a harmless buffoon. Now I realize that there is a very real possibility that he may also be a monster. No matter who wins in this case, there will in the end be no winners- except for the news media.
